Edmund Burke can be considered in many ways to be a traditionalist, and this can be attributed to the value he saw in institutions such as the monarchy and the aristocracy. A view which was elucidated in his seminal piece “Reflections on the Revolution in France”, Burke makes it very clear that he believes tradition is important, especially in regards to government. He wrote that “The science of constructing a commonwealth, or renovating it, or reforming it, is, like every other experimental science, not to be taught a priori.” “The science of government being therefore so practical in itself and intended for such practical purposes – a matter which requires experience, and even more experience than any person can gain in his whole life…it is with infinite caution that any man ought to venture upon pulling down an edifice which has answered in any tolerable degree for ages the common purpose of society”. What Burke means by this is that we should not disobey the traditional authority in which we live, we should continue to follow the traditions of our ancestors. Burke, further to this, also believed that the state was the embodiment of a countries people. In the 21st century Burke is considered by many to be father of modern conservatism and his writings are said to influence Conservative politicians, and subsequently their policies today. This influence is most obvious when we look at the Burkean view of the “authority of tradition, the organic, historic conception of society, and the necessity of order, religion, and property”. These are the central of underpinnings of Conservative thought in modern British society.
If we look today at the modern Conservative government as well as right leaning media we can see some influence of Burkean thinking. An example of tradition, its importance, as well as a preoccupation of the veneration of Britain’s past is the consistent attacks on Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn for his political views. His being a republican is the polar opposite to most Conservative thinking in the UK. The conservative party and its voters traditionally hold the monarchy in high esteem. Further to this, religious belief, and more importantly the traditional importance of it, still plays an integral part in British life. Theresa May, for example, disclosed to the British press that her Anglican religious beliefs influences and helps her make policy decisions.
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It is, however, important for us to recognise that Burke did not believe in the obedience of the Monarchy in all things. He actually tried to limit any increase of powers to George III, railed against the status quo in regards to treatment of Catholics who at that time were second class citizens who experienced significant racism (they were not allowed to attend Trinity College until the 1790's, for example), and supported (somewhat) the American Revolution.
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“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”