Modern conservatism started in the late 18th century. This was a time of great political and economic change (e.g. the American and French Revolutions). This was also the time when many new ideas (such as liberalism and socialism) were becoming very popular. “Conservatism” comes from the word “to conserve”, which means to keep things the same.

The early conservatives were people who thought that these new changes were very dangerous for society and wanted to keep society the way that it was. They thought that even though change cannot be stopped, it should be managed in a way that avoids social and political problems. Conservatives fear that unless they are carefully managed, these problems could lead to revolutions or civil wars. Conservatives often think that ideologies based on extreme beliefs are dangerous for society. Conservatives have argued that ideologies that try to make everyone totally free will destroy communities and lead to chaos. They also think that ideologies that try to make everyone totally equal will lead to tyranny. Revolutionary governments that use force to achieve radical change are examples of the source of this fear. Many conservatives see ensuring security and stability as the primary function of the state. This applies to social cohesion, economic stability, creating meaningful employment as well as maintaining law and order. Conservatives often place emphasis on “family” or “community” values and aim for a society where citizens are safe, protected, and assured of their role in society. For these reasons, conservatives support systems of government that do not try to change society too much.

Important Values in Conservatism

Tradition

Many conservatives argue that traditions and institutions should not be replaced or abandoned if they worked well in the past. They see the past as a source of wisdom and security. They claim that if a tradition has been important for many years, then it should remain an important part of society’s values. They also believe that tradition gives people an identity and an understanding of their place in society.

Law and Order

Many conservatives believe that people are generally weak, untrustworthy, and easily tempted to crime, violence, and laziness. Because of this, they support governments that protect, educate and control people to make sure they do not cause too much trouble. This is why conservatives think that creating order and stability are two of the most important responsibilities of a government. Conservatives are likely to support strict laws and a strong police force and military for the same reasons.

Hierarchy

Conservatives think that a society where different people have different roles (some higher, and some lower) is normal and healthy. They see power relationships between parents and children, teachers and students, and bosses and workers to be effective and natural. They do not see these relationships as unequal because they think that different people should have different rights and responsibilities. For example, conservatives would say that it is fair that teachers have more rights and more responsibilities, while students have less rights, but also fewer responsibilities. They think that “higher” positions in society are needed because they have the responsibility to care for those in lower positions. Conservatives believe that authority is necessary because without leadership, there would be no order in society. Without leaders to guide, educate and support the people, there would be no development and the people who have power in society would be ignorant and dangerous. This can be seen in the support that many conservatives have for strong decisive leadership in government and a strong state.

Pragmatism

Conservatives are cautious about basing political decisions on rigid ideologies and abstract ideas. They argue that it is wiser to base decisions on experience, history and looking at policies or decisions that were effective in the past. They argue that practical circumstances and practical goals should take precedence over ideological commitments. As a result, conservatives often place more importance on “what works” rather than “what should happen”.