Edmund Burke
Reflections on the French Revolution is a book written by Edmund Burke, who is known for introducing the concept of Berg Conservatism during the French Revolution. Instead of emphasizing the Social Contract, Burke focused on the idea of the Original contract. He believed that the fundamental principles and institutions inherited from ancestors should be upheld and passed down to future generations, as a part of his Political Philosophy. This perspective is similar to his belief in the importance of the "Test of Time", where he recognized the value of invisible laws (Common Law), ethics, social classes, and visible systems such as monarchy, aristocracy, and church, as well as the concept of a constitution that cannot be easily modified by a single generation (A Generation Is Not Easily Allowed to Modify Their Intelligence). Although Burke supported the American Revolutionary Movement, he was critical of the subsequent French Revolution. He argued against the idea of the Social Contract and the ease with which the "Right of revolution" was claimed, stating that the people were not as wise as they believed themselves to be. In Reflections on the French Revolution, he expressed his concerns, saying, "You may have defeated the ruler. But freedom has not been regained." He believed that while the French people became sovereigns, they also became slaves who lived in constant fear of their lives, not knowing when they would be killed.