Conservatism
Conservatism values tradition, established institutions and social order. It is sceptical of radical change and abstract schemes, preferring gradual reform that builds on what already works, and gives weight to family, religion and nation.
- Society is an inheritance between generations, not a blank slate.
- Change should be gradual and tested by experience.
- Family, religion, community and nation provide the bonds that freedom depends on.
Edmund Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790) is usually seen as conservatism's founding text. Later figures include Benjamin Disraeli, Michael Oakeshott and Roger Scruton. Conservative parties have governed in most democracies.
Critics argue that it defends existing hierarchies and inequalities and has opposed reforms such as universal suffrage and civil rights. Libertarians object to its willingness to enforce morality.
Countries and historical regimes whose 12-axis profile is closer to Conservatism than to any other ideology in the test.
Countries today
- Lithuania82%
- United States80%
Historical regimes
Conservatism is also the second-closest ideology for: Argentina, Greece, Victorian Britain.
Method: each ideology is placed at a typical position on the 12 axes, scored from 0 to 100 toward the first pole. Ranks compare it with the other 45 ideologies; matches are 100 minus the average distance across all axes. The positions are our own calibration, not taken from any third-party source.