Reflections on the Revolution in France

Burke'sseminalworkwaswrittenduringtheearlymonthsoftheFrenchRevolution,anditpredictedwithuncannyaccuracymanyofitsworstexcesses,includingtheReignofTerror.Ascathingattackontherevolution'sattitudestoexistinginstitutions,propertyandreligion,itmakesacogentcaseforupholdinginheritedrightsandestablishedcustoms,arguesforpiecemealreformratherthanrevolutionarychange-anddeplorestheinfluenceBurkefearedtherevolutionmighthaveinBritain.ReflectionsontheRevolutioninFranceisnowwidelyregardedasaclassicstatementofconservativepoliticalthought,andisoneoftheeighteenthcentury'sgreatworksofpoliticalrhetoric.