Edmund Burke

• State

  Critical on individualism

  Little Platoons - traditions and customs are formed

  Localism - supports uniqueness of different communities

  Strongly against big government- saw monarch stayed of local matters as the best and a check against absolute power

  societies organically over time
• Example

  David Cameron 2010 as head of Coalition Government - The Big Society
• Human nature

  • viewed humans as imperfect and fallible
  • requiring guidance of tradition and authority
  • accumulated wisdom from past generations provided a moral compass ensuring societal stability
• Human nature: Counterpoints

  1. social liberals: emphasise human progress and adaptability, promoting individual rights . believe in potential for human improvement and equality
• Society

  • society as an organic entity, prioritising community and tradition over individualism
  • referred to society as partnership between the living, the dead and those yet to be born, highlighting continuity
• Society: Counterpoints

  1. libertarians: emphasise individual rights and freedoms, advocating minimal societal constraints
  2. anarcho-individualism: prioritises personal autonomy over communal ties and obligations
• Economy

  • market economy
  • it should be constrained by moral and traditional values
  • emphasised the importance of prudence and caution in economic affairs
• Economy: Counterpoints

  • neo-liberals: advocate for deregulated markets and minimal government interference
  • marxism: calls for a command economy to eliminate class disparities and promote equality
• Tradition

  • central to his philosophy, acting as repository of wisdom and a guide for moral conduct
  • sudden changes could disrupt societal harmony and stability
• Tradition: Counterpoints

  1. social liberals: tradition should evolve to reflect modern values and social progress
  2. new right: often see tradition as an obstacle to change and innovation
• Equality

  • skeptical of enforced equality, viewing natural hierarchies as essential for social order
  • equality before the law but not in economic or social levelling
• Equality: Counterpoint

  1. marxists: seeks to dismantle hierarchies to promote social and economic equality
  2. libertarian conservatives: emphasise meritocracy and individual achievement over enforced equality