50+ MCQs on Edmund Burke with Answers for UGC NET / SET Prepration

1. What is Edmund Burke’s full name?
a. Edmund William Burke
b. Edward Burke
c. Edmund Reginald Burke
d. Edmund Burke

2. In which century did Edmund Burke live?
a. 16th century
b. 17th century
c. 18th century
d. 19th century

3. Edmund Burke is often regarded as a key figure in which political movement?
a. Liberalism
b. Conservatism
c. Socialism
d. Anarchism

4. Burke is best known for his critical reflections on which revolution?
a. American Revolution
b. French Revolution
c. Industrial Revolution
d. Russian Revolution

5. What is the title of Edmund Burke’s most famous work, published in 1790?
a. “Reflections on the Revolution in France”
b. “A Vindication of Natural Society”
c. “An Appeal from the New to the Old Whigs”
d. “Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents”

6. According to Burke, what is the “little platoon” that forms the basic unit of society?
a. Family
b. Church
c. CommunityMCQs on Edmund Burke
d. State

7. Which term did Burke coin to describe the unbroken and beneficial relationship between generations, encompassing the living, the dead, and those yet to be born?
a. Social contract
b. Natural rights
c. Intergenerational compact
d. Organic society

8. Edmund Burke was born in which country?
a. France
b. Ireland
c. England
d. Scotland

9. In “Reflections on the Revolution in France,” Burke criticized the idea of abstract rights and argued for the importance of:
a. Tradition
b. ReasonMCQs on Edmund Burke
c. Equality
d. Revolution

10. Burke was a member of which political party in the British Parliament?
a. WhigsMCQs on Edmund Burke
b. Tories
c. Radicals
d. Liberals

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11. Which concept did Burke emphasize in his critique of the French Revolution, stating that gradual change is preferable to sudden and radical upheaval?
a. Organic society
b. Social contract
c. Subsidiarity
d. Prescription

12. What did Burke see as the foundation of political order and stability?
a. Equality
b. Liberty
c. Property
d. Fraternity

13. Burke served as a Member of Parliament for which city?
a. Dublin
b. London
c. Edinburgh
d. Paris

14. In his work “A Philosophical Enquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful,” Burke explored:
a. Political philosophy
b. Aesthetics
c. Ethics
d. Metaphysics

15. What term did Burke use to describe the inherited wisdom and customs that form the basis of a stable society?
a. Organic unity
b. Social contract
c. Natural law
d. Prejudice

16. Which political figure and philosopher was a contemporary critic of Edmund Burke during the French Revolution?
a. Thomas Hobbes
b. John Locke
c. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
d. Karl Marx

17. Burke’s writing style is often characterized by:
a. Conciseness and simplicity
b. Complexity and eloquence
c. Abstract and theoretical language
d. Humor and satire

18. What role did Burke play in relation to the impeachment trial of Warren Hastings?
a. He was the prosecutor.
b. He was the defense attorney.
c. He was a key witness.
d. He was not involved in the trial.

19. Burke’s “A Vindication of Natural Society” is a satirical work criticizing the ideas of:
a. Thomas Hobbes
b. John Locke
c. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
d. Karl Marx

20. Burke’s belief in the importance of the “spirit of religion” refers to:
a. Advocacy for religious tolerance
b. The role of religion in shaping moral values
c. The rejection of religious institutions
d. The separation of church and stateMCQs on Edmund Burke

21. What term did Burke use to describe the relationship between rulers and their subjects, emphasizing the mutual responsibilities and duties?
a. Social contractMCQs on Edmund Burke
b. Compact theory
c. Contractarianism
d. Paternalism

22. In Burke’s view, what is the primary function of government?
a. To promote individual liberty
b. To ensure economic equality
c. To maintain social order and stability
d. To achieve revolutionary change

23. What did Burke see as the danger of relying solely on reason in politics?
a. It leads to tyranny.
b. It undermines tradition.
c. It fosters inequality.
d. It disrupts social harmony.

24. In “Reflections on the Revolution in France,” Burke expressed sympathy for the plight of which historical figure?
a. Napoleon Bonaparte
b. Marie Antoinette
c. Maximilien Robespierre
d. Louis XVI

25. Which term did Burke use to describe the unwritten laws and customs that govern a society, providing stability and continuity?
a. Social contract
b. Natural law
c. Prejudice
d. Subsidiarity

26. Burke’s opposition to the French Revolution was rooted in his belief that it:
a. Upheld traditional institutions
b. Embraced radical egalitarianism
c. Favored a constitutional monarchy
d. Promoted economic liberalism

27. According to Burke, what is the danger of abstract political theories divorced from historical context?
a. They lead to despotism.
b. They foster anarchy.
c. They undermine reason.
d. They result in utopianism.

28. What did Burke consider as the “noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever saw”?
a. The Scottish Highlands
b. The city of Edinburgh
c. The British Empire
d. The ruins of ancient RomeMCQs on Edmund Burke

29. In “Reflections on the Revolution in France,” Burke defended the concept of:
a. Equality before the law
b. Divine right of kings
c. Universal suffrageMCQs on Edmund Burke
d. Social contract

30. Which term did Burke use to describe the natural order and harmony that exists within a society?
a. Social contract
b. Organic unity
c. Prejudice
d. Subsidiarity

31. Burke’s emphasis on the importance of tradition and prescription influenced later conservative thinkers, including:
a. Friedrich Hayek
b. Karl MarxMCQs on Edmund Burke
c. John Locke
d. John Stuart Mill

32. What did Burke believe was the best guide for human conduct?
a. Reason
b. Religion
c. Tradition
d. Rational self-interest

33. Burke’s views on the American Revolution were more:
a. Critical and cautious
b. Supportive and enthusiastic
c. Radical and revolutionary
d. Indifferent and neutral

34. In “Reflections on the Revolution in France,” Burke used the metaphor of the “swinish multitude” to criticize:
a. The aristocracy
b. The clergy
c. The common people
d. The monarchy

35. Burke served as the private secretary to which prominent political figure?
a. William Pitt the Younger
b. Charles James Fox
c. George III
d. George Washington

36. In “Reflections on the Revolution in France,” Burke expressed concern about the consequences of the French Revolution for:
a. Economic equality
b. Political stability
c. Religious tolerance
d. Gender equality

37. What did Burke consider as the “first society”?
a. The family
b. The stateMCQs on Edmund Burke
c. The church
d. The marketplace

38. According to Burke, what is the danger of radical change in a society?
a. It leads to despotism.
b. It undermines social order.MCQs on Edmund Burke
c. It fosters equality.
d. It promotes liberty.

39. Burke’s idea of the “sublime” in aesthetics is associated with:
a. Beauty and harmony
b. Terror and awe
c. Simplicity and clarity
d. Rationality and reason

40. Burke’s opposition to the imposition of taxes on the American colonies was based on his belief in:
a. Economic liberalism
b. The principle of no taxation without representation
c. The divine right of kings
d. The necessity of centralized authority

41. What term did Burke use to describe the collective wisdom and experience embedded in a society’s traditions?
a. Natural law
b. Social contract
c. Collective consciousness
d. Prejudice

42. Burke’s idea of the “swinish multitude” is often misinterpreted as:
a. A condemnation of the lower classes
b. A defense of absolute monarchy
c. A call for radical revolution
d. A rejection of parliamentary democracy

43. Burke’s thoughts on the French Revolution influenced the development of:
a. Romanticism
b. Socialism
c. Liberalism
d. Feminism

44. What did Burke consider as the “center of government”?
a. The monarch
b. The Parliament
c. The judiciary
d. The people

45. In Burke’s view, what role should government play in economic matters?
a. It should intervene heavily in the economy.
b. It should adopt a laissez-faire approach.
c. It should control all means of production.
d. It should redistribute wealth.

46. Burke’s “An Appeal from the New to the Old Whigs” is a response to:
a. The Glorious Revolution
b. The American Revolution
c. The French Revolution
d. The Industrial Revolution

47. Burke’s stance on the American Revolution was influenced by his belief in:
a. Parliamentary sovereignty
b. Natural rights
c. Radical egalitarianism
d. Colonial independence

48. In Burke’s view, what is the role of government in preserving social order?
a. To promote radical change
b. To maintain the status quo
c. To uphold natural rights
d. To abolish all forms of authority

49. Burke’s concept of “prescription” refers to:
a. A written constitution
b. The power of the executive branchMCQs on Edmund Burke
c. Long-standing customs and traditions
d. The right to resist tyranny

50. What did Burke criticize in his work “A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful”?
a. The concept of the sublime
b. The importance of aesthetics
c. The influence of classical literature
d. The role of reason in human emotions

Answer

1. d. Edmund Burke
2. c. 18th century
3. b. Conservatism
4. b. French Revolution
5. a. “Reflections on the Revolution in France”
6. a. Family
7. d. Organic society
8. b. Ireland
9. a. Tradition
10. b. Tories
11. d. Prescription
12. c. Property
13. a. Dublin
14. b. Aesthetics
15. b. Social contract
16. c. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
17. b. Complexity and eloquence
18. a. He was the prosecutor.
19. c. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
20. b. The role of religion in shaping moral values
21. d. Paternalism
22. c. To maintain social order and stability
23. b. Tradition
24. b. Marie Antoinette
25. c. Prejudice
26. b. Embraced radical egalitarianism
27. b. They foster anarchy.
28. a. The Scottish Highlands
29. b. Divine right of kings
30. b. Organic unity
31. a. Friedrich Hayek
32. c. Tradition
33. a. Critical and cautious
34. c. The common peopleMCQs on Edmund Burke
35. a. William Pitt the YoungerMCQs on Edmund Burke
36. b. Political stability
37. a. The familyMCQs on Edmund Burke
38. b. It undermines social order.
39. b. Terror and awe
40. b. The principle of no taxation without representation
41. c. Collective consciousness
42. a. A condemnation of the lower classes
43. a. Romanticism
44. b. The Parliament
45. b. It should adopt a laissez-faire approach.
46. c. The French Revolution
47. a. Parliamentary sovereignty
48. b. To maintain the status quo
49. c. Long-standing customs and traditions
50. a. The concept of the sublime