Edmund Burke and Conservatism Essay Example

Edmund Burke is often considered to be the father of modern conservatism in the United States. He was a member of Parliament, philosopher, and orator. He is best known for his work in political theory and economics, especially his defense of the rights of the English aristocracy. Many of his future political were shaped by his early up brining. Burke was born in the early 1700s in Ireland. His father was Protestant, and his mother Roman Catholic. Burke followed in his father's footsteps and practiced the Protestant faith. He was educated in Ireland, went onto study law in London, and ultimately became a writer. He was later introduced to politics when he became a secretary for several members of Parliament where he would use his talents to write speeches. He later joined the British Parliament, where he became an avid debater. While in Parliament, Burke developed his views about the ideal legislative structure. 

Burke believed that unchecked majority rule posed a danger to the legislative process. He thought that a well-structured government needed to have the following elements: a monarchy, an aristocracy, and a representative democracy that acts as a counterbalance. In his view, the monarchy is similar to the role of the president in the United States. While the monarchy does not have the “veto” power, it does have royal assent, which is the authority to sign a bill into law. However, if the monarch does not agree, it can decide to not give the royal assent and the bill will not move forward. The House of Lords is similar to that of the Senate in the Unites States. For example, legislation can start in the House of Lords, which will need the approval of the House of Commons. While the House of Lords fills the same role as the Senate, it has more powers than the House of Lords. Unlike in the United States where Congress is a bicameral body and bills need the approval of both House and Senate, the House of Lords is able to slow down a bill or request to make changes to the bill. The House of Commons also does not need to listen to those recommendations and can proceed to get the royal assent. The British House of Commons is equivalent to the United States House of Representatives, except they have longer terms compared to members in the House. 

Burke was not fond of unchecked democracy and thought government should not be made up of delegates, but rather trustees. A delegate is someone who follows the will of the people they represent. A trustee is free thinking and will not always follow the will of the people. Burke embraced the concept of trustees, because he believed the common people could make uninformed and unintelligent decisions. Burke also believed that members of Parliament had to put the interests of the nation above the people they represented. In this regard, defended the role of Aristocracy, arguing that it covers the nation like a forest that will keep future generations safe.

Does the modern U.S. Congress fulfill Burke’s vision? I would say yes and no. Just like Burke envisioned, the United States is not a pure democracy, it is a democratic republic. In a way, we have representatives that act as both delegates and trustees in our government. During the foundation of our country, Burke looked at the United States quite fondly. He respected the fact that the United States held its ground and values. Burke considered the work of the United States Constitution to be an adapted version of the British constitution. However, one aspect that I don’t believe fits his view is how the members our Congress in the House and Senate behave. Burke believed that once an individual was elected to Parliament he or she should act as a trustee and not a delegate. He thought that if the Member of Parliament should not follow the will of the constituents when the Member knew they were wrong. We have both trustees and delegates respectively the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate fills the role of trustees, due to their longer terms and more national focus, while the House of Representatives acts more like delegates due to the shorter terms and local focus of constituent issues. The Senators have more freedom to not follow the whims of their state but as the nation as a whole since they don’t have to worry for reelection like in the house. Since both chambers keep a hold over each other they require bills to be approved in both chambers. This goes with Burke’s belief to not be selfish and self-serving but to move forward as one nation to a brighter future. The part that Edmund Burke would not agree with is how the members of each branch act. He believed that when people focus on self-interest, society would fall apart. As politics become more polarized on both sides, we no longer think about the good of the nation as a whole.  Some aspects of the modern Congress fit the ideal legislature of Edmund Burke but, not all of it.