Final answer:
Edmund Burke's conservative approach advocates for gradual reforms that respect tradition and proven institutions, eschewing rapid and radical change for a stable and pragmatic governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The flexible approach to conservatism as developed by Edmund Burke has profoundly shaped modern political thought. Burke's perspective was markedly pragmatic and sought to balance the need for societal stability with the necessity for gradual reform. He questioned the wisdom of rapid and radical changes brought about by events such as the French Revolution, preferring instead to rely on the guiding hand of tradition and proven institutions. This approach spawned a conservative ideology that respects the established social fabric while allowing for careful, measured change. Unlike other political theorists who emphasized abstract ideals, Burke stressed the importance of practicality and historical continuity in guiding political decisions, skeptical of the masses' capacity to govern and wary of upheavals that could lead to chaos.