Introduction
The reflections on the French Revolution by Burke are not meant to explain the event but help the general public in the United Kingdom come to terms with the exercise’s impact. The French Revolution’s occurrence had a far-reaching impact on the French society and the neighboring countries, considering the subsequent changes it brought (Burke 43). The success and failure of the Commonwealth Europe are dependent on the stability of the practices and customs, which the people have held for years. During the French Revolution, the radical ideology witnessed is a swift change in these ideals held by the people, considering their angst against their king and queen (Burke 43). The essay will examine how the French Revolution was a crucial event, signifying a complete overhaul of the public’s sentiments, manners, and opinion, considering the quest for liberty espoused by the revolutionaries.
French Revolution
Unlike other incidences of revolt, such as the Glorious Revolution that took place in 1688, the French uprising sought to change the traditions held by the society. The challenge to the longstanding European Civilization practices, such as respect for the church and the nation’s leadership, during the French Revolution brings to the limelight a shift in public opinion (Burke 56). For example, the coup plotters and executioners are driven in their action by the desire to have men rule themselves, with the abstract idea of liberty taking precedence over customs. The people’s failure to trust those who have experience can solve the problems facing the French society, such as bankruptcy after the American War, meant there was a change in opinion (Burke 67). The third estate was driven by the desire to realize equality and brotherhood in governance, which they could not realize within the monarchy.
In his reflections, Burke strongly criticizes the action taking place in France and warns the parliament and Britain; the events might spill over to the country. Burke finds the assertion that all occupations are equal within the society questionable since it signifies a radical change in the people’s mentality and sentiments (Burke 44). For instance, in declaring all jobs equal, hairdressers and stewards may seek to take over the country’s reins, leading to a war with nature. The French Revolution gives power to the general public, with individuals ignorant of governance taking over the state’s affairs. Burke believes that such action amounts to prejudice and will cause problems for the state since people lack the necessary wisdom to oversee government operations (Burke 48). During the French Revolution, the revolutionaries impose liberty on the masses, contravening the belief it develops naturally with wisdom and needs to be cultivated.
Governance is a skill gained and honed by individuals after years of experience engaging in set tasks. The revolutionaries who take over power in France, maim the palace guards, and imprison the king and queen, lack an in-depth understanding of administration protocols (Burke 69). In overseeing the country’s operations, the coup plotters will rely primarily on their stock of reason, with their success, a threat to the European Commonwealth. For instance, the idea that people can rise from obscurity, challenge long-held traditions in a country, such as the church and monarchy, and succeed in their endeavor, might ignite revolutionary light in public. Thus, Burke opines the need for Britain to follow keenly what is taking place in France since it might snowball and affect the country’s governance system (Burke 46). In the event, people who do not have the experience and skills to govern manage to oversee France effectively, the revolutionaries’ action might motivate inexperienced individuals in other nations to undertake revolutions.
The ability to govern a nation is dependent on several skill sets, such as innate wisdom and life experiences. Prejudice determines how well an individual can match the demands of the governance task, with the people who have spent their life preparing for the task likely to be effective in managing the same (Burke 60). During the French Revolution, the Third Estate members believed they could manage to develop legislation, represent their colleagues’ needs, and manage routine government activities. The beliefs and sentiments held by the Third Estate members are a drastic shift from the conventional way of life, in which they are expected to be laborers, merchants, and artisans (Burke 60). The change in ideology and the Third Estate’s push to have more power is bound to change how the country is governed since there will be a desire to have a sense of equality.
Burke’s ‘Reflections on the French Revolution’ helps highlight the desire by the Third Estate to usurp the conventional power structure in France is a misguided initiative. Burke opines that the government is not a place for incompetence and dangerous experiments to occur. In orchestrating the French Revolution, the revolutionaries carry out extensive massacres and seek to bring in a new governance system (Burke 55). In implementing the new form of government administration, the French Revolution leaders will seek to rely on their reasoning and rational concepts, which is a trial and error approach to leadership. The sentiments held by the French people that the traditions holding the country together were an affront to their political and social progress set a bad precedence for Europe (Burke 63). For instance, the people seek to overthrow the king and the queen and confiscate church property, underscoring the emergence of a new form of state.
The French Revolution sought to uproot everything, such as customs and traditions, which held the country together. Burke argues that change is inevitable but is wary of society’s drastic transformation (56). For instance, Burke believes political change should be piecemeal, gradual, and cautious, elements ignored by the revolutionaries in waging the revolution. In criticizing the Whigs, who believe the French Revolution is similar to the Glorious Uprising of 1688, Burke argues that France’s monarchy did not violate the constitution (57). For instance, King Louis XVI was the legitimate ruler of France, and unlike King James I, in 1688 did not violate the law (Burke 56). The usurping of those with legal protections, such as King Louis XVI by the revolutionaries, is bound to create anarchy and widespread violence.
Conclusion
The French Revolution leaders sought the help of the Third Estate through the promise of abstract liberty. The revolutionaries’ desire to bring a radical shift in the country saw them engage in massacres and usurp existing traditions and customs. For example, the palace guards are murdered, the queen is made to flee and seek refuge at his besieged husband’s feet, contravening longstanding practices in power change. The French Revolution plotters lack the skills and wisdom to lead the nation, setting a bad precedence for the nation and the European Commonwealth. The success of the experiment in France can prompt other individuals across Europe to pursue similar future objectives, with catastrophic consequences for their countries.
Work Cited
Burke, Edmund. Reflections on the Revolution in France: And on the Proceedings in Certain Societies in London Relative to that Event: In a Letter Intended to Have Been Sent to a Gentleman in Paris. J. Dodsley, 1790.