When we looked at Edmund Burke’s Reflections On TheRevolution In France, we discussed that he was perceived as a “classic
conservative,” or in his society, an advocate for stronger government control. However,
Burke was also part of the Wig Party, which was more “left sided” (or closer to
our modern Democratic Party). So hypothetically speaking, if Edmund Burke were
part of our modern society, what party do you really think he would choose?
In class, Professor LaVaque-Mante depicted a graph-like figure in which
Democratic vs Anti-Democratic was on one axis, and Conservative vs Radical was
on the other axis. It looked something like this:
|
|
Conservative
|
Radical
|
|
Democratic
|
ROMNEY
|
ROUSSEAU
|
|
Anti-Democratic
|
BURKE
|
MUSSOLINI
|
Burke was placed in the Anti-Democratic and Conservative
box, which is NEITHER associated with the Republican or Democratic Party
independently. But what if Burke had to choose between the two parties? What if
he couldn’t be an “independent?” What party would he choose???
For this particular argument, we are going to use Federal
government control as the closest concept to the Monarch government that Burke
advocates. In our society, we don’t actually have this Monarch government, but
in Burke’s society, they also don’t have the Federal system we do. Federal
government = Monarch.
If he were Republican….
Burke believes that all men can ACQUIRE both “freedom” and “property,”
but it’s NOT necessary that all men retain an equal amount. For example, we see
this assertion when he states
“He that has but five shillings in
the partnership has as good a right to it, as he that has five hundred pound
has to his larger proportion. But he has not a right to an equal dividend in
the product of the joint stock” (Burke 4).
In fact, Burke is completely against the notion that
equality among shared powers and such should ever exist; this is when his
political view is very borderline. The Republican Party would agree that
equality couldn’t necessarily be met under every circumstance. BUT, Republicans
wouldn’t want the government controlling everything, such as Burke advocates.
But if he were Democratic….
Burke also believes in a collective authority (in this case
Monarch) and social contract that control the people. However, the Democratic
Party favors more equality among the people, which is something Burke doesn’t advocate.
He expresses this when he states, “Nobility is a graceful ornament to civil
order” (Burke 7).
So if Burke did have to pick one modern day party, which
would it be? Do you think Burke’s “classical conservatism” is another way of
saying he is a modern day Republican? Or do you think his Wig Party involvement
means he would advocate for the Democratic Party?
In all honesty, this is a very difficult speculation to
make. For instance, in our current 2012 Election, Burke would have to comprise
if he chose either political party. If he chose Democratic Party, he would have
to face THE ultimate definition of equality: The Affordable Care Act. On the
other hand, if he became Republican, then the Federal government would have
less control over the people, which Burke thinks is a terrible system. I think
if he had to choose, he would join the Democratic Party. Why? Well, although
the Affordable Care Act gives somewhat “equality” among the people’s access to
the same level and system of healthcare (for the most part), this system still
allows the government to control that healthcare system; in this manner, the
government is expanding its control over the people. Burke really believes that
ultimate government control is the answer for society. Regardless, I believe
this argument could still be supported for the opposing side as well. I suppose
that’s why we decided that Burke was an “Anti-Democratic-Conservative” (AKA:
his own branch of political thought/monarchy). I still think it’s interesting
to take his views and apply them to our modern day government system. This also
allows us to start thinking about how our two major political parties function
in both similar and different views.
What do you think?
In my opinion Burke would definitely be a Republican because of his stance on equality. He believed that the government wasn't responsible for dividing the people's wealth and the Democratic party seems to be more for that then the Republicans. One new counter argument for him voting for Obama would be his preference to for little change and since Obama was the incumbent maybe Burke would have thought changing candidates would be more change then the country could handle.
ReplyDeleteI actually believe that Burke would identify more with the Democratic party, because the modern day, American Republican party (American conservatives) are conservative in the way that they are trying to preserve the classical liberal style that America was founded on, fundamentally opposite of the classical conservative view that Burke takes. Freedom in the political and economic sense is arguably the most important value held by contemporary American conservatives, which Burke was vehemently against. While this is not a cut and dry topic, and I certainly think that Burke would be horrified with the entire American system of government because, as we discussed in lecture, both Republicans and Democrats are mostly in favor of a classically liberal model of government, I just think that he would lean towards the Democratic party, in favor of giving the government more control. However, if we were to assign him a more specific political party, I think that Burke would be a populist, because he would be politically liberal due to the aspect of having more government control, but socially conservative, so as not to disrupt the social status quo, because as we know, Burke was generally opposed to change and progress. Generally, I think that Burke would just oppose all American politicians and maybe write a reflection about how stupid we are.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that if you disassemble the philosophies that distinguish Right from Left in American politics, there is one easy place to understand where and how the two parties disagree: perception of human nature. I would argue that an overly positive perception is responsible for the Right’s stances on deregulation and small government, while the a pessimistic view of human nature is what leads the Left wing to advocate more regulation and distinct, complex law systems. With this as a metric, I would tentatively place Burke on the side of the modern Liberal mindset. Burke shows no confidence in the people to make decisions and govern on their own accord, and instead places his trust in a strong, central source of power which ‘knows best.’ Rampant corporatism and class divide, I think, would be an example of Burke’s “...mak[ing] free to hang [someone] without judge or jury,” or act in the negative interest at others for the purpose of selfish furthering. So, Burke can represent both the positive as well as oft-criticized aspects of Liberal politics.
ReplyDeletei agree with Daisy in the above comment, and will actually go a step further in saying that I find little similarity at all with Burke and the modern day Republican Party. From a cultural aspect, there is a sense of defending tradition, but the GOP doesn't support traditional values for tradition's sake or "not to disturb society," but because we believe in a morally-driven national model.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican Party, while defined as conservative, is not reactionary and anti-change in the way Burkean conservatism is. I'm not sure why the author believes the Affordable Care Act is "the ultimate definition of equality." While I disagree with the law and support a "repeal and replace" strategy in attaining health care freedom in the United States, comparing our health care system under the ACA to that of France, or England, or Canada, or Sweden, it is clear there are certainly more "equal outcome" health care systems. I digress, but the issues of health care, taxation, and spending - what I'd consider the three main elements relating to the law - the modern-day Republican Party offers comprehensive reforms that are radical rather than reactionary in nature.
The basis of modern Republicanism is based on the idea of limited government and broadened freedom of opportunity for all. Unlike Burke, the Party doesn't believe that some people's liberty is greater than others, and unlike Burke, the Party does not see government as the answer to the problems of the people.
Obviously Burke's philosophy does not fit neatly into either major political party today, but in the heart of their belief systems, I believe Burke would identify with centrist Democrats (think House Blue Dog Democrats).
Brad
Hannah,
ReplyDeleteIt is always very interesting to speculate on what opinions previous philosophers would have on the concrete issues that face society today. It is difficult to do so because of the large differences in social and political realities between those faced by said philosophers and those we see today. Because these thinkers often wrote in response to the issues of their day, it is hard to translate their ideas into today's terms. I believe that Burke would identify with today's Republican party for a couple of reasons. He would recognize the impossibility of establishing an absolute monarch in America. Even if he were to pursue doing so, he would see that the Democratic Party would not be a sufficient mobile to do so. Burke would recognize that the acquiring freedom and property, not necessarily in an equal amount, is the only aspect of his philosophy that is reasonable to seek to obtain today. Although the Republican party does not advocate complete freedom to acquire property, they do more so than the Democratic Party. Because he would see the value in moving towards more property rights, Burke would most likely use the Republican party as his means to do so.