Burke insists that the historical foundations of france were fundamentally sound, and thus the revolution of 1789 was unnecessary. where does he chiefly place the strength of the french government prior to 1789

If your options are: a) The competing interests of the people were institutionalized in the Estates General, generating a "reciprocal struggle" that would reconcile discordant powers, b) The monarchy, though occasionally unjust, provided stability and security, c) The "discordant interests" of the various corporate bodies of France— the guilds, municipalities, nobility, and 
clergy— were mediated by the monarch and his officials, and d) All of the above, the correct answer in my opinion is d) All of the above. Burke provides a comprehensive critique of the French revolution in all of its aspects. Even though he admits it was a remarkable event, he disagrees that it would bring about a new, more just and sound political system. Of course, the old monarchy was bad in many respects, but it didn't have to be abolished altogether. It could be fixed. Instead, monarchy was replaced by anarchy and traditions were violently dismantled.