Question

Is Edmund Burke right to say that tradition, rather than a social contract formed out of the state of nature, is the beat form of government?

Answer 1

Edmund Burke is regarded as one of the fathers of modern conservatism in the English speaking world.

He was born in Dublin on January 12, 1729, and died July 9, 1797. His mother Mary was Catholic and his father was a Protestant. He had converted to the church of Ireland from Roman. In 1765 he became private secretary to the prime minister of Great Britain Charles Watson and began his political career from then onwards.

Burke thought that man is not born free they are constrained by the traditions of their forebear. He was against the French revolution according to him it was a passion of mob and nothing more than that, He claimed that most rights and practices are passed down from the previous generations, it is inheritance and derived from our forefathers. He was a notable friend of the American Revolution and wanted the British Government to let Americans live separately and peacefully. He was in favor that it is the duty of the government to make his public happy and peacefully. He was a true humanitarian the American were highly taxed by the British he raised his voice against it, stating that parliament has the right to put down his rebellious for the sake of the country but the subject should not be burdened and tortured.

In case of Warren Hastings who was the Governor of British India, he argued that limits of the empire were demarcated by no less than the natural order and divine law.

He was of the opinion that most men in government are not qualified to govern rather the country should look for the able person well educated and who should put his nation before his personal needs a man of finer upbringing and a higher Christian education and must have faith to run the society above his personal choice for the benefit of the people.

He was a strong supporter of the free market and against colonization. He was in favor that both the parties should get benefitted. The government should not unnecessarily interfere in the trade. He was a key factor in defending the British constitution and developing the model of party government.

His theory is the outcome of his strict upbringing in the religious atmosphere, that has largely contributed to his behavior and thinking with the fellow men as a law of nature with kindness and just manner.