How Has Republicanism Strayed from Burkean Conservatism?

Brief Reflections on Edmund Burke

Edmund Burke is arguably the father of American conservatism. However, his political philosophy is far from Republicanism under Trump’s presidency.

How exactly?

Well, there are two primary ways:

1. the recent impeachment of Donald Trump due to allegations of inciting a mob to storm the Capitol of the United States but also
2. how Trump has repeatedly questioned democratic institutions in the United States.

I will discuss both in turn below.

Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash

1. Incitement of Violence & Disregard for Democracy

Trump’s presidency, despite being championed as Republican and conservative, did not feature many elements of Edmund Burke’s original philosophy behind conservatism.

Burke was adamant about institutions because in the 1780s and 90s these institutions were more certain than the revolutions that were arising across Europe. Republicans followed this tradition and were in support of institutions, upholding the law, and conserving traditional Christian family values. Therefore, it is curious that so few Republicans have chosen to impeach Donald Trump for his recent “incitement of…