Reform refers to changes in the society and political structure, primarily the

government structure. Revolution often entails the whole disturbance and the radical
change of the status quo. Reform usually takes place in a less violent or peaceful
manner such as amendments, lobbying and other legislative acts, revolution usually
involves rallies and civil wars. To finish, reform is centralized for it can take place with
the support of few political powers while revolution requires a wide support of the
population of the state.

Burke opposed the French Revolution for it overthrow a long-established

government. He approved with the thought that the political elites namely the
aristocrats are not performing their duties well, but thought it would be better to
return to an order which did work than to bring in a new, untried system.
Burke’s other oppositions to the French revolutionaries is that the idealism of
“natural rights” to be directly given to everyone. It would cause violence for the
interpretation of this right varies for it is too abstract and undefined at the time.
 The ideas of the “philosophies” and revolutionaries had no background, no
tradition; but collective experience builds up tradition and we know what
“works” because of this. These points (and others) are very much a part of
conservative thinking: whatever has been developed and tried over a long period
of time - custom, tradition - should not be rashly discarded.
For Burke, the English institutions of Monarchy and Parliament had evolved since
at least the 11th century, and thus were legitimate. It has been developed and
tried over a long period of time - custom, tradition - should not be rashly
discarded.