Fourth Year Winner: Solving the 'Burke Problem:' Perspectives on Edmund Burke's Traditionalism
POLS 4035, The Emergence of Modernity. CD: Ray Bazowski.
Abstract
In this strongly argued and well-written essay, the author cogently considers the apparent inconsistencies in the thought of the Conservative Irish philosopher and politician, Edmund Burke (1729-1797). In his era, Burke spoke often in support of natural law and traditional (Christian) social structures that included one’s charitable duties to the poor, yet also is known to have backed capitalist or laissez-faire arguments and claimed that the “laws of the market were divinely ordained.”
In an exceptionally well-organized and closely argued sixteen pages, the writer explores the three main scholarly responses to this ‘Burkean Problem’. It is a considerable strength of the submission that it remains an interesting and accessible read despite mediating between these complex academic perspectives. After clearly explaining each position, the author compares and contrasts them, assessing their relative strengths and carefully reconciling Burkean “inconsistencies” by observing how Burke “is a pragmatist who favoured balancing competing claims over applying abstract theories. Natural law mandates a just wage and a right to private property, and prudence ought to mediate between the two.”
Thus, with careful research, as well as first-rate summary and interpretation, the author provides their own original answer to the problem of Burke. The reader of this essay will not fail to be convinced by exactly what the author claims: the “authentic” Burke is “a traditionalist, a believer in organic society, a practitioner of practical politics, and an advocate of natural law.” Complex but interesting prose, careful argument, and excellent analysis all combine in this paper, the well-deserved winner of the 4th Year LA&PS Writing Prize.
