Joseph Hamburger, Paul Kress, Lewis Lipsitz, and Harvey Mansfield begin by discussing Burke’s conservative views on natural law (contrasted with man-made law or moral theory) in the context of the British constitution and empire. They note that some of his sociopolitical views (such as fighting against the oppression of Irish Catholics or supporting the American Revolution) are more like modern liberal stances. They conclude by debating how Burke’s views are received and applied in 1983.
At the time of this interview, Hamburger was professor of political science at Yale University. Kress was professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lipsitz was professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mansfield, a Fellow at the National Humanities Center (1981-83), was professor of government at Harvard University.
This edition of Soundings was conducted by Wayne J. Pond.
