- Edmund Burke (1729-1797), British statesman and the grandfather of modern conservatism.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Quote of the day: conservatism looks to context in determing proper policy
- Edmund Burke (1729-1797), British statesman and the grandfather of modern conservatism.
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2 comments:
I agree, but this is awfully relativistic for today's conservatives to accept.
It might look at way at first glance, but Burke's point is that conservatism must look at circumstances when determining good policy. Principle is a different thing, and Burke was nothing if not steadfast when it comes to principle. What Burke was getting at -- and something that I think is critical to keep in mind -- is that a conservative politics looks different depending on the time and place one is in. Conservatism is not an ideology, it is not a substitute for religious faith (as Russell Kirk reminds us). It is an approach to questions of government and society that values tradition, custom and practice, and seeks prudential change only when necessary. As such, while conservatives hold fast to principles, when it comes to policy, they must be willing to apply those principles in new ways according to the circumstances that present themselves.
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