The political attitude of a political party describe views about the necessary speed and nature of political change that they want to bring about. These attitudes are often divided into three categories: radical, moderate, and conservative. The word conservative can be used to describe either a political ideology or a political attitude.

A. Radical Parties

Radical parties believe in extreme change of the current political, social and economic system. Radicals believe that the current system is broken and cannot be improved or repaired but must be replaced. They say that politics cannot be improved unless a new political system is put in place.

B. Moderate Parties

Moderates also believe that the current system should be changed. However, unlike radicals, moderates support slow, planned change. According to moderates, change can successfully happen through the institutions of the current system; it does not require a change of the system itself. They believe that change can, and often must, happen over a long period of time.

C. Conservative Parties

Unlike radicals and moderates, conservative parties do not always agree that major change is needed. Conservatives say that political and social institutions provide order and stability. They say that if too much change happens too quickly, the legitimacy of the system might be weakened. For these reasons, conservatives argue against change unless it is unavoidable (McLaughlin 2013: 52).