Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents (Summarized Edition)

Published in 1770, Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents diagnoses unrest as courtly secret influence undermining Parliament. In lucid, Augustan prose—part forensic brief, part civic sermon—Burke defends party connection as a constitutional instrument, not mere faction. He advances a trustee model of representation and a balanced constitution, censuring ministerial manipulation (the Middlesex affair) and demagogy. Set amid George III's early reign and the post–Seven Years' War realignments, it crystallizes Whig constitutional thought. Edmund Burke (1729–1797), Irish-born statesman, Rockingham Whig, and MP, wrote from close contact with patronage and unstable ministries. As Rockingham's secretary and later parliamentarian, he witnessed the rise of the King's Friends and the eclipse of responsible cabinet government. His philosophical temper—prudent, historically minded—here becomes a program for preserving liberty through stable institutions. Scholars of political theory and constitutional history will value its clarity on parties, representation, and executive influence; policymakers and citizens will find its cautions against cabal timely. For anyone seeking principled guidance in turbulent politics, this brief stands as an exacting, durable guide. Quickie Classics summarizes timeless works with precision, preserving the author's voice and keeping the prose clear, fast, and readable—distilled, never diluted. Enriched Edition extras: Introduction · Synopsis · Historical Context · Author Biography · Brief Analysis · 4 Reflection Q&As · Editorial Footnotes.