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Burke's Essay On The Generative Principle Of Political Constitutions

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Edmund Burke expressed his beliefs of conservatives in society after the French Revolution through his pamphlet called Reflections on the Revolution in France. In this pamphlet he expresses his extreme disapproval toward the revolution and the ideals behind it. His main argument throughout this pamphlet is that the revolution and the philosophies behind it ignored human nature. The overthrow of an established government to him was “savagery”. He believes that a civilized society is most successful when run by monarchs, aristocracy, and Christianity. He believes that the foundation of a strong society does not benefit from uprooting their own. Burke says, “The nature of man is intricate; the objects of society are of the greatest possible complexity; and therefore no simple disposition or direction of power can be suitable either to a man’s nature, or to the quality of his affairs” (154). Burke believes a structured and traditional …show more content…

Maistre disagrees with the philosophers of the revolution and says a “constitution is a divine work and that precisely the most fundamental and essentially constitutional of a nation’s laws could not possibly be written” (156). Maistre continues throughout this essay saying how wrong it is for man to think he can write down laws. He calls these men fools and ignorant of morality. He believes the only strong society can exist on a foundation in religion. Maistre says, “Religion alone civilizes nations” (157). He believes a great institution and it’s laws can only be based on pre existing, unwritten laws. Maistre also disagrees with education not being under the influence of religion and how dangerous it can be for a society to focus on

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