Reflections On The Revolution In France

Reflections on the Revolution in France establishes Burke as a major political theorist; this letter served as support for conservative action during different periods of social and political unrest throughout world history. In many ways, Reflections on the Revolution in France aims arguments against any radical or moderate Englishman considering imprudent action during the uncertain times of the French Revolution. However, globally speaking, France is just one of many areas reconsidering historic forms of government like monarchies in favor of more representative modes, like democracies and republics. 

With well-crafted allusions to institutions like the nobility and church and pride-invoking, if nostalgic, images of Great Britain, Burke creates a diametric political view to the liberal thought sweeping over Continental Europe. Influential writers like Rousseau and Voltaire and world-shaking events like the American Revolution dominate Western thought, challenging long-standing civilizations to reimagine their once secure place on the world stage. Suddenly, Burke finds himself and his country at the edge of a precipice. If a country with such a long-standing monarchy as France could fall, their King and Queen imprisoned, their nobility threatened, their church impoverished, who could assure that England might not be next?

When Burke hears the radical leanings of Dr. Richard Price’s sermon, congratulating France on its great strides towards liberty, reason, and light, Burke feels he must ensure what happens in France never happens in England, so he pens Reflections on the Revolution in France, chiefly to highlight a need for conservative, rather than radical, action in a time of great upheaval.