W1D 5QB - Edmund BURKE

The most common and simplest definition of the political philosophy Conservatism is that which favours tradition, whether it's religious or cultural, or even both, in the face of change, and immediate opposition to any form of radical social change. Edmund Burke is en extremely well known figure in the conservative and indeed entire political spectrum. He was an Anglo-Irish politician, an Mp from 1765 to 1794 during the Age of Enlightenment, in the late 18th century, and is considered the founder of modern conservatism, so in simple terms, he is a big deal. The Age of Enlightenment was a period of time when there was a great deal of radical change throughout Europe in the fields of Politics, Science and Philosophy. It was a time when traditional authority was being questioned by the great thinkers in Europe, and the ideals of the period inspired the events of the American and French revolution, of which Burke was very vocal about. He was a man who challenged the ideas of those during his time and the great thinkers of the Enlightenment age.

Burke's home in London...check it out 

in Chinatown :D

Many of the values of conservatism we know today are all influenced by and reflect Burke's own political view. He believed in the Church as a higher power, on the same level as the State, reflecting conservatism belief in the protection in traditional institution. He also believed that the upper class should lead the rest of society, with their level of education and understanding which would steer them away from corruption. Due to the fact that his philosophy is influenced by Christian natural moral law, it is considered as political ethics. Using Christian ideas, he made a case to defend private and corporate property as a necessity in maintaining a free society. The Christian theory of moral law is also the basis for his other principle, such as his views on human nature, which is reflected in the conservative principle of human nature being naturally corrupt (influenced by idea of the original sin).

The direction in which David Cameron has led the current conservative party is perhaps more towards the Burkean Conservatism. The emphasis on the 'Big society' which Cameron described as his "guiding Philosophy" has its roots in Burke's philosophy. In his book, 'Reflections on the revolution in France', he writes that, ‘To be attached to the subdivision, to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle (the germ as it were) of public affections. It is the first link in the series by which we proceed towards a love to our country and to mankind’.