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Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was an Irish statesman, philosopher, and political theorist, widely regarded as the father of modern conservatism. Serving as a member of the British Parliament for many years, Burke was a prominent supporter of the American colonies’ grievances against British rule but vehemently opposed the French Revolution. His most influential work, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), articulated his belief in tradition, social continuity, and the dangers of radical change. Burke argued for the preservation of established institutions and gradual, prudent reform, principles that have become foundational to conservative thought. His emphasis on order, tradition, and skepticism of utopian ideals has profoundly shaped the conservative movement and its philosophical underpinnings.
“The Conservative Mind from Burke to Eliot” – Russell Kirk (2001)
Russell Kirk’s The Conservative Mind is a seminal work in twentieth-century American conservatism. Brilliantly conceived and featuring a carefully curated selection of significant figures in the history of intellectual conservatism, the book played a pivotal role in launching the modern American Conservative Movement upon its publication in 1953. It has since become a timeless classic in political thought.
The seventh revised edition includes the complete text along with a new introduction by publisher Henry Regnery.
An essential read for anyone interested in conservative philosophy.
The Great Debate
The Great Debate by Yuval Levin offers a compelling exploration of Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine, and the roots of modern conservatism and liberalism.
Levin examines the origins of America’s left/right political divide by delving into the contrasting views of these two influential figures during the American and French revolutions. Burke and Paine grappled with fundamental moral and philosophical questions about political life and the best approach to social change: should it be radical and swift, or gradual and incremental? The ideological rift they established continues to shape our political landscape today.
For anyone seeking to understand the foundations of our political system and the deep-seated divisions in Washington, The Great Debate offers a profound analysis of conservatism, progressivism, and the ongoing dialogue between them.
