According to Edmund Burke, knowledge of historical precedents can be a valuable tool in addressing more current issues of a similar nature. He is an advocate of the possibility that past policies and customs persist not only for the sake of tradition, but also because customs that survive through generations are often successful for good reason. In Reflections on the Revolution in France Burke suggests that respect, knowledge and adherence to the past practices of successful nations should inform the policy of current governments. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In explaining the value of historical mores, Burke refers to the Revolution as a means of preserving historical rights that had been threatened: "The Revolution was created to preserve our ancient, indisputable laws and liberties and that ancient Constitution of government which is our only guarantee of law and liberty.” With the emphasis on the term “ancient,” Burke implies that such long-standing precedents transform what may once have been a privilege into an unalienable right Once a nation has adopted a particular practice as a tradition, it becomes dear to its citizens and should not be challenged without just cause. Burke insists that the Revolution, despite its title, was not meant to be revolutionary but rather conservative in nature. The very idea of ​​the creation of a new government is enough to fill us with disgust and horror.” It is clear then that Burke has a deep respect for French traditions and wishes to re-establish a government “as the legacy of our ancestors.” This is not to say that the change in government was undesirable, but rather any changes to the nation's policies should be made with a deep understanding of the past. Burke makes this evident when he states: “All the reforms we have hitherto made have proceeded upon the principle of respect for antiquity…all such [reforms] as may possibly be made in the future will be carefully formed upon analogical precedent, authority, and example. ”Burke is adamant in his belief that successful law reform can most easily be achieved through consideration of established rulings. In support of this idea he cites King John's Magna Carta as an extension or elaboration of the positive charter of Henry I. He explains the establishment of the Magna Carta as “nothing more than a restatement of the still older permanent law of the kingdom". If one accepts this statement as true, then one might understand the establishment of such a charter as a mere formal way of securing those "most sacred rights and entitlements as inheritance." Burke believes that the notion of "legacy" is important for understanding both the past and expectations for the present. He uses this concept of inheritance to explain or justify the Magna Carta amendment to the Bill of Rights as demonstrating "an implicit inheritance from our ancestors." It states that the value of such a "legacy" goes beyond simply maintaining the time-honored constitution, but also serves to preserve national unity. Burke believes that new government policies are most effective and acceptable when they preserve fundamental legacies: “We have an inheritable crown, an inheritable peerage, a House of Commons, and a people inheriting privileges, franchises, and liberties from a long line of ancestors… This policy seems to me to be the result of deep reflection, or rather the happy effect of following nature. . He compares this maintenance of traditional customs to "following nature", the.