ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on aspects of Edmund Burke's thought that have transcended his time to inform important discussions in international relations today: sovereignty, war, the balance of power, international political economy, international law and morality, empire, intervention, and the role of culture. It introduces some important concepts from international relations theory. The chapter compares Burke's ideas to realism, rationalism, and revolutionism—the three main traditions of international relations theory formulated by Martin Wight. Burke's ideal statesperson is one who can carve out the golden mean between polar positions: "[He] forms the best judgment of all moral disquisitions who has the greatest number and variety of considerations in one before him, and can take them in with the best possible consideration of the middle results of all". Burke's understanding of sovereignty directly affects his attitude toward the use of force in international relations.
