My view on the Brooks column is that it’s good as far as it goes, but it overlooks some key aspects of the Scottish Enlightenment and its view of top-down or planned institutional structures — and, as a consequence, is too complacent about the growth of government and consequent diminution of civil society. Burke, after all, was a Whig, and a fan of Adam Smith. Burke’s cautions about dramatic social change were grounded in his belief in the importance of the spontaneous order that arises from organic social institutions, including those in the marketplace, and his skepticism of the ability of individuals to construct superior institutions through reason. The institutions Brooks would defend today bear no resemblance to the organic institutions Burke sought to protect. Indeed, they have crowded out and, in some cases crushed, the little platoons upon which social order depends. So the meaningful question for a true Burkean is not whether to oppose a Jacobin revolution, but what to do after such a revolution has already taken place.
Recommended

Biden Signs Executive Order Allowing the U.S. to Fund Global Abortions
The policy was first instated by President Reagan to ensure that taxpayers would not be required to indirectly fund abortions in other countries.

The Absurd Criticism of Rand Paul’s Rachel Levine Questioning
How likely is it that this dangerous ideological agenda is about to get worse?

Exclusive: 48 Senators Promise to Oppose Any Bill that Funds Abortion
Pro-life lawmakers pledge to resist spending bills that don’t include the Hyde amendment.

Cruz: Actually, It Is Constitutional to Impeach and Convict a Former President
Never mind how he voted.

What Happened to Officer Sicknick?
Democratic impeachment managers have a duty to explain how Officer Sicknick died.

Minnesota Nasty
Minneapolis is a nice city no longer.
The Latest

Fencing Erected During George Floyd Protests Finally Removed from Washington, D.C., Landmarks
Roughly nine months after the fencing was placed around Lafayette Park and St. John’s Episcopal Church, D.C. residents celebrated the deconstruction of the makeshift borders on Monday.

Hillary Clinton: Cuomo Sexual Harassment Allegations ‘Raise Serious Questions’
'I’m glad to see that there will be a full, independent, and thorough investigation,' the former senator from New York added.

Border Dems Warn Biden Border Policies Will Be 'Catastrophic for Our Party, for Our Country'
One lawmaker noted that the toll of the pandemic makes the border crossings that much more dangerous.

NY AG Receives Permission to Probe Cuomo Harassment Allegations
‘This is not a responsibility we take lightly as allegations of sexual harassment should always be taken seriously,’ the attorney general said.

White House Declines to Release Virtual Visitor Logs
'He’s meeting with members of the Senate virtually today,' Psaki said. 'There, I’ve released it for you.'

New Orleans Archdiocese Asks Catholics to Avoid Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccine
The Vatican previously issued guidelines which said it was 'morally acceptable' for Catholics to receive shots that used the cells for research.