Compare and contrast Burke and Wollstonecraft’s accounts of liberty and its relation to property.
Edmund Burke
‘Letter to Charles-Jean-François Depont’ in Further Reflections on the Revolution in France by Edmund
Burke; edited by Daniel E. Ritchie, Indianapolis: Liberty Press, 1992 pg. 5-17
-In his letter, Burke believes in liberty and that all men desire liberty which is inherited that allows men
to have the privileges of it. With that being said, the French are deserving of liberty. Burke defines
liberty as social freedom and that liberty is secured only through equality of restraint which emphasizes
moderation and that nobody has the right to trespass on the liberty of any person. Liberty is also linked
to justice and all men who cultivate justice are entitled to liberty.
-Edmund Burke prefers internal freedom, security and good order to none and that people showed have
the right to legal security, private property and freedom to use their strengths as they wish. This is
protected through the enjoyment of private property and that there are many advantages to owning
private property as a simple citizen is assured of expressing his sentiments upon public life without any
danger to his life or safety. He states that if this constitution is settled in France under these principles,
then he would give his wholehearted support. He would also rejoice if judicial power is established in
France through a constitution and a legislature and that it is important to secure the freedom and the
property of the subject.
-Edmund Burke makes a comparison between England and France in which he states that England is an
example of good governance and stability through a constitution that is practical and that the
government has a real energy for protecting the domestic and foreign interests of the state with a
perfect security to liberty and the safety of individuals. France meanwhile has a government with no
sort of experience to provide that same liberty and security to individuals as the revolution has become
too radical that has made France unstable. This can be seen through the violence of the French
Revolution in the Reign of Terror 1793-1794 which led to a series of massacres and public executions
together with a confiscation of property. Burke states that if a government is vicious and abusive,
violence is necessary if it can’t be reformed but when the question concerns more or less perfection in
governmental organization, violence is not the best option.
-Therefore, Burke believes that moderation is good and that one needs to exercise restraint of principle
and restraint of reason in order to achieve true liberty and property.
‘Edmund Burke and Conservative Political Theory’ in History of Political Theory: An Introduction Volume
2, Modern by George Klosko, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013 pg. 321-376
Conservative Political Theory
-Edmund Burke is generally viewed as the greatest and most influential conservative political theorist.
His book, Reflections on the Revolution in France is considered the greatest work in conservative
political theory. As a political philosophy, conservatism has existed in various forms. The term,
‘conservative’ signifies a partisan of the maintenance of the established social and political order.
Burke’s Life and Political Career
,-Burke was born in Dublin in 1729 into a middle class family. He was educated at a Quaker school and
then went to Trinity College, Dublin. Since his father had wanted him to study law, he moved to London
and enrolled in the Middle Temple in 1750 and within a few years, he decided to pursue a literary
career. Burke’s future however, lay in politics. In 1759, he secured employment as a secretary to William
Hamilton, a young member of parliament. In 1764, he began a crucial association with the Marquis of
Rockingham, one of the most wealthiest and most influential politician of the day. He then joined
Rockingham’s parliamentary faction known as the Rockingham Whigs which advocated a balanced
aristocratic government and soon he became a secretary to Rockingham in 1765 in which he was soon
elected in the House of Commons representing the seat of Wendover.
-Burke served continuously in parliament until 1794 and with Rockingham’s ascension as Prime Minister
in 1765, Burke wielded a great influence in British politics. In the House of Commons, Burke used his
talent to write political pamphlets that showed his views and from 1774-1780, he represented the
commercial seaport of Bristol and later Rockingham’s borough of Malton from 1780-1794. In 1782, he
became Paymaster-General of the forces in Rockingham’s Ministry. Burke’s association with the
Rockingham Whigs caused problems in unravelling his political ideas. This was seen in his opposition to
the French Revolution which is expressed in Reflections on the Revolution in France. Burke’s opposition
to the French Revolution left him as an embattled and isolated figure within the Whig Party and in 1794,
he retired from Parliament.
Burke and British Politics
-Throughout his life, Burke supported a set of principles which he identified with the victorious Whig
party in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. According to Burke, the principles established in the events of
1688 were longstanding. In Reflections, he refers to the ancient fundamental principles of our
government. These existed before the Glorious Revolution which was undertaken to counteract a threat
to the Constitution and to preserve them. Burke endorses constitutionalism and he notes that the
barons who forced King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215 were moved by a desire to preserve the
liberties which their ancestors had received by the free concession of a former king and that English
liberties constitute a legacy of the past that is handed down through generations.
-According to Burke, he opens his discussion of Reflections with the Glorious Revolution in order to
distinguish its principles from those of the French Revolution. The principles defended in Reflections are
those of the Ancient Whigs fidelity to which was maintained by the Rockingham Whigs. Burke’s view of
the British Constitution was widely held in which he is influenced by Montesquieu. Like Montesquieu,
Burke views the stable, settled character of the British Constitution as essential for the maintenance of
liberty. Burke’s view of liberty is secured by a balanced, stable and above all, an existing constitution
that lies at the heart of political theory. It is counteract in which Burke puts forth the idea of party in
which a party is a group of people motivated by common principles.
-The party that Burke has in mind conforms to the eighteenth century model of a great man or a
wealthy aristocrat and his clients which is clearly suited to the Rockingham Whigs. Commentators note
problems with Burke’s analysis of the present discontents as he is frequently too ready to believe that
his political opponents are conspiring against his forces and the public interest.
The Role of the Aristocracy
, -In his capacity as spokesman for the Rockingham Whigs, Burke defends the aristocracy’s central role in
the English political system. In his writings, Burke frequently idealizes the aristocracy and their
importance to the maintenance of a stable political order. As Burke writes that independence of mind
will ever be more or less influenced by independence of fortune, the close connections between the
nobility’s privileged position and their substantial property entails that Burke’s support of the
aristocracy is closely tied to the defense of the existing property system. In addition to providing
independence, the nobility’s great wealth renders it particularly suited to positions of responsibility and
power. Wealth allows leisure and opportunities for education denied those without its advantages.
Burke believes that man is by nature reasonable.
-Members of this natural aristocracy achieve the full development of their nature. Because the
advantages of their upbringing are reserved for members of this class, it could be argued that only
aristocrats are fully developed human beings.
Representation
-Burke’s account of the aristocracy and its special qualities provides the context for his important
contribution to the theory of representation. Burke provides what is generally viewed as the locus
classicus for one particular account of the concept. His view can be seen in his speech to the House of
Commons upon being elected by the people of Bristol. He refers to his conception of the
representative’s role as virtual representation. In other words, the representative must follow his own
judgement of what is right, regardless of the wishes of his constituents. Burke’s view of representation is
central to his conception of the aristocracy’s role in the political system. As one would expect Burke’s
support for the aristocracy, he also opposes electoral reforms especially extending the right to vote to a
larger section of the English population. During Burke’s time, only a small proportion of the English
population had the right to vote and government was firmly in the hands of the landed elite which
suited Burke. Although Burke’s opposition to democratic reforms is consistent with the main tendencies
of his political theory, it leaves him vulnerable to criticism and clearly his ideas stand in opposition to
emerging doctrines that all people are equal and have important to natural rights.
The American Revolution
-Burke’s adherence to the principles he had taken have led him to take different views of the American
and French Revolutions. His support of the former while condemning the latter has brought him to the
charge of inconsistency. Burke’s major pronouncements on the American Revolution are contained in
two speeches, ‘On American Taxation’ in 1774 and ‘On Conciliation with America’ in 1775 as well as a
letter written to the Sheriffs of Bristol in 1777. Throughout Burke argues for restraint in dealing with
America. He does not view the colonists’ aims as radical or revolutionary. Rather, the colonists of English
descent acted to protect the rights of Englishmen, to provide security to America’s ancient condition and
he compares them to the Old Whigs of 1688 whose rebellious actions were provoked.
-In approaching American affairs, Burke’s end is similar to what we have seen. He is concerned with the
preservation of ancient liberty which is threatened not by the zealotry of the colonists but by the
incompetence of the British government. Central to Burke’s philosophy is the need for a practical
approach to political questions and opposition to speculative approaches which can be highly
destructive. Misguided politicians are interested in theoretical speculations, in metaphysics rather than
actual factors at work rather than in actual factors at work in political situations and how they can be
Edmund Burke
‘Letter to Charles-Jean-François Depont’ in Further Reflections on the Revolution in France by Edmund
Burke; edited by Daniel E. Ritchie, Indianapolis: Liberty Press, 1992 pg. 5-17
-In his letter, Burke believes in liberty and that all men desire liberty which is inherited that allows men
to have the privileges of it. With that being said, the French are deserving of liberty. Burke defines
liberty as social freedom and that liberty is secured only through equality of restraint which emphasizes
moderation and that nobody has the right to trespass on the liberty of any person. Liberty is also linked
to justice and all men who cultivate justice are entitled to liberty.
-Edmund Burke prefers internal freedom, security and good order to none and that people showed have
the right to legal security, private property and freedom to use their strengths as they wish. This is
protected through the enjoyment of private property and that there are many advantages to owning
private property as a simple citizen is assured of expressing his sentiments upon public life without any
danger to his life or safety. He states that if this constitution is settled in France under these principles,
then he would give his wholehearted support. He would also rejoice if judicial power is established in
France through a constitution and a legislature and that it is important to secure the freedom and the
property of the subject.
-Edmund Burke makes a comparison between England and France in which he states that England is an
example of good governance and stability through a constitution that is practical and that the
government has a real energy for protecting the domestic and foreign interests of the state with a
perfect security to liberty and the safety of individuals. France meanwhile has a government with no
sort of experience to provide that same liberty and security to individuals as the revolution has become
too radical that has made France unstable. This can be seen through the violence of the French
Revolution in the Reign of Terror 1793-1794 which led to a series of massacres and public executions
together with a confiscation of property. Burke states that if a government is vicious and abusive,
violence is necessary if it can’t be reformed but when the question concerns more or less perfection in
governmental organization, violence is not the best option.
-Therefore, Burke believes that moderation is good and that one needs to exercise restraint of principle
and restraint of reason in order to achieve true liberty and property.
‘Edmund Burke and Conservative Political Theory’ in History of Political Theory: An Introduction Volume
2, Modern by George Klosko, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013 pg. 321-376
Conservative Political Theory
-Edmund Burke is generally viewed as the greatest and most influential conservative political theorist.
His book, Reflections on the Revolution in France is considered the greatest work in conservative
political theory. As a political philosophy, conservatism has existed in various forms. The term,
‘conservative’ signifies a partisan of the maintenance of the established social and political order.
Burke’s Life and Political Career
,-Burke was born in Dublin in 1729 into a middle class family. He was educated at a Quaker school and
then went to Trinity College, Dublin. Since his father had wanted him to study law, he moved to London
and enrolled in the Middle Temple in 1750 and within a few years, he decided to pursue a literary
career. Burke’s future however, lay in politics. In 1759, he secured employment as a secretary to William
Hamilton, a young member of parliament. In 1764, he began a crucial association with the Marquis of
Rockingham, one of the most wealthiest and most influential politician of the day. He then joined
Rockingham’s parliamentary faction known as the Rockingham Whigs which advocated a balanced
aristocratic government and soon he became a secretary to Rockingham in 1765 in which he was soon
elected in the House of Commons representing the seat of Wendover.
-Burke served continuously in parliament until 1794 and with Rockingham’s ascension as Prime Minister
in 1765, Burke wielded a great influence in British politics. In the House of Commons, Burke used his
talent to write political pamphlets that showed his views and from 1774-1780, he represented the
commercial seaport of Bristol and later Rockingham’s borough of Malton from 1780-1794. In 1782, he
became Paymaster-General of the forces in Rockingham’s Ministry. Burke’s association with the
Rockingham Whigs caused problems in unravelling his political ideas. This was seen in his opposition to
the French Revolution which is expressed in Reflections on the Revolution in France. Burke’s opposition
to the French Revolution left him as an embattled and isolated figure within the Whig Party and in 1794,
he retired from Parliament.
Burke and British Politics
-Throughout his life, Burke supported a set of principles which he identified with the victorious Whig
party in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. According to Burke, the principles established in the events of
1688 were longstanding. In Reflections, he refers to the ancient fundamental principles of our
government. These existed before the Glorious Revolution which was undertaken to counteract a threat
to the Constitution and to preserve them. Burke endorses constitutionalism and he notes that the
barons who forced King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215 were moved by a desire to preserve the
liberties which their ancestors had received by the free concession of a former king and that English
liberties constitute a legacy of the past that is handed down through generations.
-According to Burke, he opens his discussion of Reflections with the Glorious Revolution in order to
distinguish its principles from those of the French Revolution. The principles defended in Reflections are
those of the Ancient Whigs fidelity to which was maintained by the Rockingham Whigs. Burke’s view of
the British Constitution was widely held in which he is influenced by Montesquieu. Like Montesquieu,
Burke views the stable, settled character of the British Constitution as essential for the maintenance of
liberty. Burke’s view of liberty is secured by a balanced, stable and above all, an existing constitution
that lies at the heart of political theory. It is counteract in which Burke puts forth the idea of party in
which a party is a group of people motivated by common principles.
-The party that Burke has in mind conforms to the eighteenth century model of a great man or a
wealthy aristocrat and his clients which is clearly suited to the Rockingham Whigs. Commentators note
problems with Burke’s analysis of the present discontents as he is frequently too ready to believe that
his political opponents are conspiring against his forces and the public interest.
The Role of the Aristocracy
, -In his capacity as spokesman for the Rockingham Whigs, Burke defends the aristocracy’s central role in
the English political system. In his writings, Burke frequently idealizes the aristocracy and their
importance to the maintenance of a stable political order. As Burke writes that independence of mind
will ever be more or less influenced by independence of fortune, the close connections between the
nobility’s privileged position and their substantial property entails that Burke’s support of the
aristocracy is closely tied to the defense of the existing property system. In addition to providing
independence, the nobility’s great wealth renders it particularly suited to positions of responsibility and
power. Wealth allows leisure and opportunities for education denied those without its advantages.
Burke believes that man is by nature reasonable.
-Members of this natural aristocracy achieve the full development of their nature. Because the
advantages of their upbringing are reserved for members of this class, it could be argued that only
aristocrats are fully developed human beings.
Representation
-Burke’s account of the aristocracy and its special qualities provides the context for his important
contribution to the theory of representation. Burke provides what is generally viewed as the locus
classicus for one particular account of the concept. His view can be seen in his speech to the House of
Commons upon being elected by the people of Bristol. He refers to his conception of the
representative’s role as virtual representation. In other words, the representative must follow his own
judgement of what is right, regardless of the wishes of his constituents. Burke’s view of representation is
central to his conception of the aristocracy’s role in the political system. As one would expect Burke’s
support for the aristocracy, he also opposes electoral reforms especially extending the right to vote to a
larger section of the English population. During Burke’s time, only a small proportion of the English
population had the right to vote and government was firmly in the hands of the landed elite which
suited Burke. Although Burke’s opposition to democratic reforms is consistent with the main tendencies
of his political theory, it leaves him vulnerable to criticism and clearly his ideas stand in opposition to
emerging doctrines that all people are equal and have important to natural rights.
The American Revolution
-Burke’s adherence to the principles he had taken have led him to take different views of the American
and French Revolutions. His support of the former while condemning the latter has brought him to the
charge of inconsistency. Burke’s major pronouncements on the American Revolution are contained in
two speeches, ‘On American Taxation’ in 1774 and ‘On Conciliation with America’ in 1775 as well as a
letter written to the Sheriffs of Bristol in 1777. Throughout Burke argues for restraint in dealing with
America. He does not view the colonists’ aims as radical or revolutionary. Rather, the colonists of English
descent acted to protect the rights of Englishmen, to provide security to America’s ancient condition and
he compares them to the Old Whigs of 1688 whose rebellious actions were provoked.
-In approaching American affairs, Burke’s end is similar to what we have seen. He is concerned with the
preservation of ancient liberty which is threatened not by the zealotry of the colonists but by the
incompetence of the British government. Central to Burke’s philosophy is the need for a practical
approach to political questions and opposition to speculative approaches which can be highly
destructive. Misguided politicians are interested in theoretical speculations, in metaphysics rather than
actual factors at work rather than in actual factors at work in political situations and how they can be
