English political conservative thought and Edmund Burke

In this study it is aimed to explain Edmund Burke whose thoughts as a pioneer constituted eighteenth century English conservative political thought which has reflections on contemporary world. In this thesis Burkean conservative tradition, the implications of this tradition on today's debates and its attitude toward contemporary problems are examined. Moreover, the basic principles of this tradition, its historical process and reflections on different societies evaluated. In addition, the periods and related thought like Renaissance, Reform and Enlightenment that affected the appearance of conservatism and their interconnections discussed. Conservatism came to picture as a respond to the prevailing Enlightenment mentality of eighteenth century. In its oppose, conservatism mainly rests on the values such as history, tradition, prejudice, religion and family etc. following establishment of its anti-thesis, its influences on liberalism, socialism and nationalism are also handled.