English Constitution And Edmund Burke’s Theory Of Imperial Order

Based on the historical contextualism research approach of Cambridge School,this thesis elaborates Burke’s theory of imperial order whose core is English constitution and discusses the limitations of the theory as well.Burke’s theory of imperial order includes three aspects,that is,“superintendency” as conception of imperial polity,“social freedom” as the value of imperial order and “prudence” as practical principle of imperial governance.Burke’s thinking of superintendency proposed a loose principle of parliamentary sovereignty which reflected the flexibility of the English constitution.The concept of social freedom reaffirmed the purpose and value of the English constitution,that is,to limit arbitrary power and defend people’s liberty.Burke’s political prudence is based on customs and prescriptions.In applying prudent principle,Burke reaffirmed prescriptions as a legitimate source of the English constitution.Besides,constantly adapting to new prescriptions guaranteed the vitality of the English constitution.Burke’s theory of imperial order has its limitations which include both practical level and theoretical level.At practical level,Burke’s idea of superintendency was not accepted by both the colonies and Britain.From the perspective of the American colonies,the colonists had their own tradition of autonomous rule and were not willing to accept British parliamentary sovereignty from the beginning.From the perspective of Britain,the British had to defend strict principle of parliamentary sovereignty,otherwise,Britain would face the challenges from both an overpowerful king and popular radicals.That would cause political crisis in Britain as well as in the whole empire.At theoretical level,Burke’s ideal of “liberal empire” was contradicted to the imperial logic in reality.The British empire was prone to use liberty as an excuse to cover its violent essence and serve imperial interests.Burke could not reconcile the inner contradiction between positive value of liberty and the logic of empire in reality.