To synthesise, by means of a metaphor, Edmund Burke’s acceptance in Italy, we must imagine him as the silent guest whose weighty presence upset the political thought of many writers. I use the expression “silent guest” because most of the writers who used his rhetoric abstained from quoting their source and from explicitly stating that it was Burke. To explain this reluctance, we must widen our gaze to consider, more broadly, the understanding of Burke’s political thought, which, over time, has generated entirely opposite views. That is to say that scholars have found reasons both to enhance Burke’s reputation as a reactionary while also fostering the idea that he was a modern liberal. Hence, the fear of those who quoted him of being misunderstood and considered as members of one of two opposing coalitions that they were not part of.
Edmund Burke and the issue of a conservative and liberal tradition in Italy, 1791-1945.
LENCI, MAURO
2012-01-01
Abstract
To synthesise, by means of a metaphor, Edmund Burke’s acceptance in Italy, we must imagine him as the silent guest whose weighty presence upset the political thought of many writers. I use the expression “silent guest” because most of the writers who used his rhetoric abstained from quoting their source and from explicitly stating that it was Burke. To explain this reluctance, we must widen our gaze to consider, more broadly, the understanding of Burke’s political thought, which, over time, has generated entirely opposite views. That is to say that scholars have found reasons both to enhance Burke’s reputation as a reactionary while also fostering the idea that he was a modern liberal. Hence, the fear of those who quoted him of being misunderstood and considered as members of one of two opposing coalitions that they were not part of.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
