Influential Figures in Politics
The political world is the power force behind how the world is managed in terms of administration. The success of any political system is based on the influential political figures in a nation and even worldwide. The prominent political characters in history have left behind significant achievements in political life as well as influencing a large population group. Moreover, most of them have left behind a legacy to be remembered. Hence this research seeks to discuss the life and achievements of three influential political figures; John Locke, Aristotle, and Edmund Burke.
John Locke was born on 29th August 1632 in Wrington, England. He went to Westminster School and later attended Christ church. Afterward, he went to Oxford University, where he studied medicine. His knowledge in medicine played a significant role in his life and also impacted many lives. Historically he is classified as a political philosopher through the influence he left behind by writings various books touching on philosophy, epistemology as well as education. John Locke was raised by his mother and father who was a captain of England in the civil war. Due to his father’s networking, he was able to get access to quality education. John Locke went through his education and graduated with a degree in medicine from oxford university (Editors, 2019).
One of John Locke’s impact and achievements were experienced in his writings. In writings works, he was inspired by Lord Ashley, later known as Earl of Shaftsbury. Shaftsbury had a significant influence on John Locke’s political career. For instance, in Locke’s landmark, two treatises of government enhance his revolutionary ideas concerning the natural rights of man as well as a social contract (Editors, 2019). Historians have suggested that this impacted the later intellectual underpins that assisted in the establishment of American and French revolutions. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
John Locke published various books and articles on matters of philosophy, education as well as politics. The early works of his writings were the essay and the tow treaties, as mentioned earlier. Some of the other jobs he published after returning in England from exile included A letter concerning Toleration, the reasonableness of Christianity as well as educational articles that outlined his thoughts and ideas. His impact to the political sector of England were tremendous. Since he was an influential political figure of the Whig party, Locke continued to play a part in the running of the government even in later years. Some of his political achievements included the steering and advocating of the Board of trade’s resurrection (Editors, 2019). He served as one of the stakeholders in this sector and oversaw England’s new territories in North America.
Although he died in 1704 after his health deteriorated, he left behind a significant mark that was felt for many years later. He had a considerable impact on western thought. He comes up with philosophy theories that explained the position of state and church, religious freedom, people’s liberty, among other issues—his works influential other figures such as Voltaire, Alexander Hamilton as well as Thomas Jefferson.
Another influential figure in the political world is Aristotle. Without a doubt, Aristotle is well known as one of the greatest of all, philosophers. Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher, as well as a scientist who left behind a significant impact on the life of many people in the world. History suggests that Aristotle was born in 384 B.C on the northern coast of Greece. His father was a court physician to King Amyntas II of Macedonia. Aristotle remained being influenced by His father, Nicomachus, even after his death. When Aristotle attained the age of 17, he joined Plato’s academy. In the year 338, he started to tutor Alexander the great (Editors, 2019). This was facilitated earlier on when he founded his teaching institutions known as the Lyceum. At lyceum, he spent a large part of his life studying various subjects of life, teaching as well as authorship which was later witnessed in his various works.
Aristotle’s impacts are significantly seen in the field of philosophy and politics through his various authorship works. According to historical evidence, Aristotle authored approximately over 200 works. They were classified in form of notes, manuscript drafts that were based on logical reasoning, rhetoric ideas, politics, ethical life standards, science as well as psychology (Mark, 2019). His students significantly benefited from his teachings and his books. One of his students, Theophrastus, helped in keeping Aristotle’s writings which were later used by scholars also to advance their knowledge. However, out of his over 200 works, 31 books and articles are well known all over the world currently.
There were other areas where Aristotle also left tremendous impacts. In terms of poetry, Aristotle observed, analyzed, and d explained tragedy and epic poetry. In his poetic works, he examined the foundation of storytelling, such as character development, settings and plot of a story. In terms of ethics, Aristotle also came up with Nichomachean Ethics, a moral code of conduct that is meant to enhance good living (Mark, 2019). In the political field, Aristotle explored human behavior in the aspects of society and government. In his opinion, Aristotle asserted that the government has the sole responsibility of assisting its citizens in attaining virtues and happiness. He further addressed the difference in socio-economic class in society and the functions of a political system about which types of the political system as well as the role of democracy. In the rhetoric field, Aristotle explored the arty of public speaking and taught his students how to be effective students. Also, he examined human psychology, where he explored peoples’ perception of the world (Mark, 2019). He works continued to be witnessed in various areas such as science, where he explored astronomy and even analyzed the subject of Prior Analytics. He died in 322 B.C.
Edmund Burke is another influential political figure in modern history. Burke was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 12th Jan, 1729. He was the son of a solicitor and educated at Trinity College. He later went to London where he studied law. However, he left behind his pursuit of law and decided to focus on Literary and political careers. His political career without a doubt and according to historical evidence left behind a significant legacy through his various contributions in politics. In the year 1765, he becomes a member of parliament, which spurred his political career (William,2020).
During his time as a member of parliament, he closely played a significant role in debates over the need to limits the powers of a king. In his opinion, he suggested the need for parliamentary control of the royal patronage as well as expenditure. Besides, his political ideas are clearly remembered on how they helped to solve political disagreements. For instance, in the year 1765, just after he was elected a member of parliament, Britain imposed on American measures such as the stamp act. This led to violent colonial opposition. According to Burke ideology, the ruling powers (government), should establish a cooperative relationship between rulers and their subjects (William, 2020). Moreover, he claimed that people should show the willingness to fit in the inevitability of change and hence affirm traditional values wherever there is a new circumstance.
There were also several other political ideas that he suggested. For instance, due to his keen interest in India, he concluded that the Indian government corrupt behavior needed a solution through the removal of patronage from the interested parties. As a result, his proposal suggested the use of commissioners located in London to govern India. However, this idea was not successful since its bill was not passed. The French revolution outbreak was another area where Edmund Burke Prowess s was shown. In his books, Edmund was the opposition of any form of revolution throughout his political life.
There were various publications through which he expressed his political ideologies. One of his early writings was Lord Bolingbroke’s’ Letters on the study and use of History. The book was published in 1754. Other writings included A vindication of Natura Society, a view of the Miseries and Evils Arising to mankind among other books. In 1957, he authored treaties on aesthetics, which was referred to as A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (William, 2020). However, one of his greatest achievements was his writing of England’s history from the period of Julius Caesar up to the end of Queen Anne. In general, we can say that Edmund burke was an important, influential political figure who left behind a legacy in terms of his political thoughts, oratory, as well as his opposition to the French revolution.
References
William, C. (2020). Edmund Burke | Biography, Books, & Facts. Retrieved 4 March 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edmund-Burke-British-philosopher-and-statesman
Editors, B., (2019). John Locke. Retrieved 4 March 2020, from https://www.biography.com/scholar/john-locke
Editors, B. (2019). Aristotle. Retrieved 4 March 2020, from https://www.biography.com/scholar/aristotle
Mark, J. (2019). Aristotle. Retrieved 4 March 2020, from https://www.ancient.eu/aristotle/