Absolutism Vs. Neo-Conservatism

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Recommended: Edmund Burke thoughts on classical liberalism

Many political ideologies have developed over time, usually in response to changes in the environment such as with economic and social standards in the world. Such differing ideologies have vastly different philosophies though most overlap in some aspect. Classical liberalism places emphasis on political and economic freedom as well as a representative form of democracy. Burkean conservatism revolves around a pessimistic view of human beings as well as the idea that freedom is accepting your station in life. Contemporary conservatism favors laissez-faire capitalism. Neo-conservatism adopts themes from Burkean conservatism and classical liberalism based on the idea that government should be as limited as possible to allow independence among …show more content…

Burke believed that secular perfection is hubristic and that humans should not try to be God- humans should respect God, not try to be him. Humans who strive to be perfect are conceited and egotistical, which ties into the idea that freedom is accepting your station in life rather than trying to be someone you are not. Furthermore, Burke conjectured that prejudice is not a negative aspect of humans that should be frowned upon, but rather that prejudice is a beneficial device that has been utilized by humans over time to learn from previous experience. Burke claimed that prejudice is obtained from experience that has changed our way of viewing certain races or sexes, and therefore there is some truth to prejudice. It is quick and efficient to rely on prejudice because one does not have to think or overanalyze people and situations. While classical liberalism glorified the potential for reason and the prospect of progress, Burkean conservatism was more realistic. Conservatism countered the arguments presented by liberalists by commenting on the faults of reason as well as the importance of instinct and tradition. Moreover, Burke stressed the importance of government authority, as opposed to social contract, as humans must be managed by a higher power such as the

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