The beginnings of Conservative thought.
This critique of the French Revolution is the first shot across the bow in the Conservative movement. Basically, Burke rightly blames the French Revolution for unleashing chaos in Europe. He contrasts the French Revolution with that of the American and makes it clear that the American is a political revolution, while the cultural, and social change in the French Revolution can only lead to a reign of terror, which it did.Indeed most revolutions based on social equality end that way. The preferable route is respect for traditions, and a set order to things. That is the essence of modern conservative thought. Read this work, then read the works of Russell Kirk, and you will become informed on the underpinnings of the conservative movement.