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Dr. Stephen Hicks | The Philosophy of Politics Part 1
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Key Moments
The French Revolution's descent into terror was a predictable outcome of abstract ideological principles overriding tradition and practical governance, offering a stark warning against rapid, radical change.
Key Insights
The French Revolution, particularly by 1793, devolved into a cataclysm of executions and civil war, exemplified by the widespread use of the guillotine.
Edmund Burke, writing in 1790, predicted the worsening of the French Revolution by warning against abstract metaphysical principles divorced from established government, public order, morality, and religion.
Burke argued that British liberties were an 'entailed inheritance' passed down through generations, contrasting with the French attempt to forge new rights based on abstract ideals.
According to Burke, a successful society requires foundations in religion and a 'severe, masculine morality,' which the French Revolution disregarded by attacking traditional institutions.
Burke posited that government is a practical contrivance to meet human wants, requiring wisdom and external restraint on passions, and that political science is an experimental one learned through centuries of tradition, not abstract theory.
The video highlights Burke's concept of society as a partnership not only between the living but also with the dead and those yet to be born, emphasizing the weight of tradition in governance.
The French Revolution's descent into chaos
The lecture begins by situating the French Revolution within a broader context of a revolutionary modern world, marked by advancements in science, religion, art, exploration, trade, and politics. While earlier revolutions in England and America established parliamentary democracy and new political principles respectively, the French Revolution, by 1793, had become a cataclysm. The iconic symbol of this descent was the guillotine, which was used for thousands of summary executions. This period was characterized by widespread violence, hunger, economic disruption, civil war, and international conflict. The execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette signified a radical break with the past, not merely a reform. This violent trajectory raised critical questions about the causes of the revolution and whether its costs outweighed its benefits, ultimately leading to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and a return to imperial power.
Philosophy's driving force in politics
The core argument of the course is the tight connection between philosophy and politics. Political events are often driven by underlying philosophical concerns regarding the meaning of life, human nature, knowledge, and values. Debates over specific policies frequently mask deeper disagreements about fundamental worldviews. The French Revolution serves as a prime example where abstract ideological principles, stemming from thinkers like those of the Enlightenment, directly influenced political actions. This connection highlights how philosophical ideas can translate into political realities, shaping societies and the lives of individuals, and underscoring the necessity of understanding philosophy to grasp political dynamics.
Edmund Burke's critique of abstract revolution
Edmund Burke, a modern conservative, offered a highly influential interpretation of the French Revolution in his 1790 work. He expressed deep doubts about the revolution's direction, predicting it would worsen. Burke's central critique was against the 'metaphysical abstraction' of the French revolutionaries, who sought to remake society based on abstract principles of liberty and equality, divorced from the realities of governance, public force, revenue, morality, religion, property, peace, order, and civil manners. He argued that liberty should not be the starting point but rather a benefit that follows from established order, government, and a well-regulated system. Burke's perspective contrasted sharply with the Enlightenment's emphasis on rationalism and individual rights, suggesting that such abstract ideals, when unmoored from tradition, could lead to chaos.
The British model: Evolution over revolution
In contrast to the French Revolution, Burke pointed to Britain's 'Glorious Revolution' and its subsequent development as a model of gradual evolution. He described British liberties as an 'entailed inheritance' passed down from forefathers over centuries, from Magna Carta to the Declaration of Right. This inheritance was not derived from God or nature but from a long, cumulative social and political process. Burke emphasized the 'unchangeable constancy' of constitutional principles, tempered by tradition and the 'canonized forefathers.' This approach involved respecting the foundations of society, much like a venerable castle, and undertaking reforms cautiously, rather than attempting to demolish and rebuild from scratch. The British approach prioritized law and order before liberty, viewing freedom as existing within established legal and moral frameworks.
Foundations of society: Religion and morality
Burke asserted that successful nations, in establishing civil freedom, have historically laid their foundations in religion and a 'severe, masculine morality.' He criticized the French revolutionaries for their disrespect towards traditional religious institutions, their confiscation of church property, and their general move towards secularism and atheism. For Burke, religion, even if viewed as a 'pleasing illusion,' provided a necessary moral framework and a sense of awe that regulated individual passions and ensured social order. Similarly, a strong moral code, characterized by severity and discipline, was essential for channeling liberty constructively. He warned that discarding these foundational elements, as the French were doing, would lead to 'ferocious dissoluteness' and a breakdown of society.
Government as a practical contrivance
Burke viewed government not as something derived from abstract natural rights but as a 'contrivance of human wisdom' designed to provide for human wants, including the crucial need for restraint upon passions. He held a somewhat pessimistic view of human nature, believing most individuals lack the rationality and self-control to govern themselves effectively. Therefore, an external power—the government—is necessary to provide regulation and order. This government, he argued, should be built upon generations of practical experience and accumulated wisdom, embodied in tradition, rather than solely on the theories of intellectuals. The science of constructing a commonwealth, he stated, is an 'experimental science' requiring more experience than any single individual can acquire in a lifetime.
The dangerous composition of revolutionary assemblies
Burke expressed alarm at the composition of the French National Assembly, noting the absence of individuals with practical governing experience. Instead, he observed a preponderance of lawyers, often from obscure provincial backgrounds, who, while perhaps theoretically informed, lacked the real-world understanding of statecraft. This reliance on theorists and practitioners from non-governing sectors, rather than seasoned politicians or experienced administrators, was a key reason for his prediction of disaster. He believed that government requires a specific kind of practical wisdom and caution that can only be developed through long-term engagement with the complexities of state affairs, a wisdom absent in the revolutionary assembly.
Society as a partnership across generations
Central to Burke's philosophy is the concept of society as a 'partnership.' However, this partnership extends beyond the living generation to include 'those who are dead and those who are to be born.' The 'votes' of the dead are represented by tradition, custom, and the inherited institutions and principles passed down through history. This perspective implies a profound respect for the past and a cautious approach to change, as any radical departure would disrespect the contributions and wisdom of previous generations. Burke's warning against a 'pure democracy' in France, which he predicted would devolve into an 'oligarchy,' underscores his belief that unfettered popular will, unchecked by tradition and wise governance, can lead to tyranny.
Mentioned in This Episode
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Common Questions
The video argues that political events are often driven by underlying philosophical concerns about human nature, values, and the meaning of life. Conversely, philosophical ideas can directly shape and manifest as political realities and ideologies.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Mentioned as one of the famous names associated with the Jacobins and the Reign of Terror.
A liberal ideologue and nobleman who fought in the American Revolution and drafted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Mentioned as one of the famous names associated with the Jacobins and the Reign of Terror.
Authored a feminist manifesto in 1791, advocating for women's rights and equality, inspired by the liberal revolutions.
The queen of France, also executed during the French Revolution.
Mentioned as a key Enlightenment thinker whose ideals influenced liberal thought.
A prominent figure among the Jacobins, most associated with the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.
An influential interpreter of the French Revolution and a founder of modern political philosophy, known for his conservative views.
Rose to power after the French Revolution, expanding French territory and centralizing power, eventually crowning himself emperor.
The king of France executed during the French Revolution, symbolizing a radical break with the past.
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