The Development Of British Political Party’s Ideas In The18Th Century

As a very important phenomenon, political party is the core element in carrying out modern political life, but it did not gain people’s acceptance at its initial stage. It is generally acknowledged that Political parties originated in Britain, Whig and Troy, founded in parliament in the1870s and1880s, are the earliest2major political parties in modern UK. However, at that time, people thought its disadvantages outweighed advantages. Political party was even regarded having a similar meaning with "sect" or "conspiracy group", and the "political party theory of sin" prevailed. Since the18th century, it has played as an obvious role little by little, and its organizations developed a lot. Thus, defensive words appeared in recorded literary, and distinguished from sect, the positive effect of political party was gradually recognized, and began to unite as a whole from separate parts. So we can say that the18th century was the turning point of the development of British political party’s ideas.Regarded3political thinkers in18th century UK as main research object, this paper will make a profound analysis on the development of British political party’s ideas in the18th century. Bolingbroke was the first man who had a systematic theory for political party in18th century. He defended for the Country Party (government’s opposition party) and admitted its positive role, making a clear difference between political party and sect to some degree. Based on the theory of human nature and political philosophy, David Hume did a careful analysis and classification of political party, which made it easier to be accepted, and helped people to have a deeper understanding about it. Burke fully affirmed the position and role of political party, totally denied the "political party theory of sin ", and proved political party was not evil. However, we must recognize that, because of their time and living background, there are some limitations of those3political thinkers’ ideas.Besides, we can have a clearer and deeper understanding of the origin and development of political party in18th century by making a profound analysis, and it is well worth significance for regarding the development of modern political party in a proper way.