By Shermichael Singleton

I have put together a short piece discussing two of the world’s greatest political philosophers, Edmund Burke and John Locke. I seek to provide insight on the two philosophers, while determining the meaning of ‘ideology’ and how these two thinkers shaped modern thought and transformed a word.

As you read this I would like to remind you, this is not an opinion piece, I have spent many hours reading books and articles related to the two philosophers and the term‘ideology’ to write this piece my first official serious writing for my blog.

Locke and Burke arguably transformed modern political thought. Before we take an in-depth analysis of the philosophers we must take a look at what is being defined, and how it is interpreted by today’s political scientist as they look to Locke and Burke’s work for answers to some of the problems we face today.

Political Ideology as shaped by John Locke and Edmund Burke has been crucial to western philosophy. Ideology as its commonly understood was first used by Antoine Louis Claude Destutt de Tracy. A true and permanent definition of the word is not clear, for it is still debated by political scientist today, whether ideology is a positive, negative, or neutral feature of modern society.

Through my personal research I have found ideology to be a neutral feature of society. However there isn’t any hope of settling this controversy here, rather discussing the true in-depth meaning of the word and how Classical Liberalism and Conservatism are used when discussing there origins.

Classical Liberalism and Conservatism were the theories of John Locke and Edmund Burke. De Tracy believed that the term ideology was to be used with a connotation towards the whole society with the goals of improving human life. It was this first definition of the term that would abrupt the great debate of the true definition of ideology.

Locke and Burke both sought out to transform the ‘whole’ society but their positions greatly differed, causing many debates amongst political scientist. Their philosophy was the philosophy of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Federalist Papers and many other documents produced by the people who created the American system of Government.

We’re going to take a brief look at the life of John Locke, whom contrary to popular beliefs had a rather privileged childhood. His childhood was far from the gentry’ low classes he so evidently identified with in his writings. Locke’s father who was a lawyer and a clerk for the Justices of the Peace and had served as a captain of cavalry for the Parliamentarian forces during the early part of the English Civil War. Locke was a well educated man, holding a bachelor’s degree in medicine and a master’s degree from Oxford.

Locke discussed the change that was needed for democracy to prevail, this form of thought was used years later after the Age of Enlightenment. This era was important to the success of the ideology of John Locke and Edmund Burke, regardless of their ideological differences.

The Enlightenment era was combustion of thought and beliefs challenging everything that was normal thus everything that was ‘conservative,’ in the traditional since, that is.

Locke stressed the significance of tolerance and equality; it was one of his precedent arguments. The ideological beliefs in Liberalism was the belief of Natural Law., “that is, certain rules of nature governing human conduct that could be discovered through the use of human reason.” Liberal’s believed that humans are trustworthy, beings that will normally behave themselves when left alone. Locke was an advocate of checks and balances and believed revolution was a right and at times an obligation of the people.

“Classical Liberalism is one of the intellectual by-producers of the Enlightenment.” It is the dissatisfaction with the status quo, with the deficiencies of government and the belief that people can be better, it’s the favor of rapid and progressive change. “Optimism about people’s ability to solve their problems through the use of reason is the keynote of liberalism,” wrote Locke.

The ideological systematic approach of liberalism seems positive but negative, it can be argued that rapid change is never a positive feat in society. Locked would beg to differ, hence of the reason of debate of the defienidum of ideology.

Conservatism had its course, until Edmund Burke put pen to paper and gave it, its formal ideological base. Burke was a political theorist and philosopher who served in the British House of Commons as a member of the Whigs Party, which was also the party of John Locke. Burke received his early education at a Quaker school in Ballitore, he continued at Trinity College, in Dublin. He attempted to study law do to the wishes of his father but soon there after gave up his legal studies. After giving up law, he attempted to earn his livelihood through writing, which pushed him towards the role of Political Philosopher.

Burke believed to be a conservative, one had to oppose the belief that human equality is important. “Equality is only the beginning point and therefore should not be rewarded. Instead, people’s accomplishments throughout life should be rewarded.”

Locked believed in perseverance and hard work. Which was contrary to Locke’s appraisal of equality and assistance. Burke argued that “the rich, the able, and the well-born” ought to govern whereas the people of lower social rank should “recognize their betters and willingly submit to their rule.” He continued by stating, “Should they-should the ordinary people try to govern themselves, as in France (referencing the French Revolution) the ultimate result can only be disaster, for nothing noble can come from the mediocre.”

Burke believed the elite rule were the best in society. Locke argued that “Power is not to be used the rulers to suppress the mass.” Yet Burke believed nothing good could come from the society unless the inferior people had political rights.” The founding fathers agreed some what agree thus the electoral college.

Decrying the false values of liberalism, Burke put his case bluntly when he wrote:

“The occupation of a hair-dresser, or of a working tallow-chandler, cannot be a matter of honor to nay person-to say nothing of a number of other more servile employments. Such description of men ought not to suffer oppression from the state; but the state suffers oppression, if such as they, either individually or collectively, are permitted to rule.”

Conservatism supports tradition, values and morals. Conservative ideals are often accused of lacking vision, but this charge is unfair since the fathers of both Conservatism and Liberalism sough changed from their respective periods.

Liberalism believes that humans are trustworthy beings that will normally behave themselves when left alone. Conservatism has less faith, it see’s people as sinister, once corrupted by society, the ideology of Conservatism would argue, that Classical Liberalism weakens the structure of government do to the lack of control. A feature of Conservatism believe government agencies should exist to control the masses when unruly and keep and maintain order.

In those brief passages it is very clear why Political Scientist argue the position of ideology and how it relates to Locke and Burke. Both authors have positive, neutral and negative features in their philosophies.

Locke’s ideas of Classical Liberalism and Edmund Burke’s Conservatism single handily shaped more than our way of thought, they shaped our ideals. During the Enlightenment these two ideologists, views shaped and molded the creation of our very own government. Classical Liberalism as written by Locke had the overall view that society was naturally good, which is where you see the greatest conflict between each ideology and the meaning of the word as it pertains to the two.

Conservatism was the belief in strict governmental control with a disregard that man was naturally good. They believed man was a liar, stealer and was only good when regulated by strict governmental control. these views were impart due to the religious beliefs held in Conservatism.

You clearly see how morality shaped and separated the two ideals from the beginning making it even harder to determine the defienidum of the ideology and how it related and defined the theories of Locke and Burke

So to go more in depth of the study, we look at Frederick Watkins and other Political Scientist for guidance. Watkins suggested that ideologies “opposed the status quo, they propose an abrupt change in the existing order.” Yet another Political Scientist approaches the definition of ideology differently. He sees it “As based on the value systems of various societies.”

Political Scientist Terrence Ball warns against developing a strict definition of ideology, he argues ideology was “A phenomenon composed of precise ingredients.” The ability to create new ideologies such as Liberalism and Conservatism, was drafted do to the phenomenon of various societies during their times-it is composed of many precise ingredients that bring them about. Ingredients such as, the ‘Natural Rights of Kings’ or the ‘rule of colonies abroad, those are the things that bring about new philosophies and ideologies.

It seems that ideology is simply a means of justification-a way for each or either side of the political spectrum to justify their beliefs. Government exists to serve the people, both authors agreed. This is broadly agreed too, but the ways government should be ran and the ideologies of the people in the society are disagreements. Which ideology is the best, is something for the individual in society to align themselves with.

The purpose of this article was to define ideology and look at it as a neutral, positive or negative feat of society as it related to Locke and Burke. After reading this short passages you may come to the conclusion that it’s a mixture of all three, two or none all. This was not written to persuade you, the reader of my opinion on the word but to give you the opportunity to think about your very own political ideology as it relates to Liberalism and Conservatism and as it relates to now.

As I said essentially each generation creates its own ideals, thus changing the interpretation and meaning of the word ideology. It is up to that generation to determine how their ideals will be remembered in the books of history.

Shermichael Singleton is the co-founder of the College Republicans at Morehouse College.  His political acumen and maturation is well beyond his chronological years. He truly understands the government and how it works in addition to the politics necessary to be successful at keeping America at the forefront of innovation, prosperity and Homeland Security. In a constellation of starts, he shines bright. Upon encountering him, you would immediately know he is destined for greatness.”

 Shermichael’s New Blog – http://singletonpost.com/