In the 19th century, conservatives generally opposed rapid or radical social change and sought to preserve traditional social structures, institutions, and values. Their ideas regarding social change can be summarized as follows:
- Conservatives believed that society should be maintained according to long-established customs, hierarchies, and institutions such as the monarchy, aristocracy, and the Church. They emphasized stability, order, and continuity as essential to social cohesion
- They were skeptical and often hostile to revolutionary movements and liberal ideas that promoted equality, individualism, and universal suffrage, viewing these as threats to social harmony and traditional authority
- Conservatives accepted that some gradual reform might be necessary but insisted that change should be slow, cautious, and organic rather than abrupt or radical. They feared that rapid change, as exemplified by the French Revolution, led to chaos and social disorder
- They upheld the importance of religion, especially established churches, as a moral foundation for society and a means to maintain social order
- Conservatives also valued national identity, tradition, and patriotism, opposing efforts that might undermine these through excessive centralization or erosion of local autonomy
- In economic and social policy, many conservatives supported property rights, free markets, and limited government intervention, seeing these as foundations for social stability and prosperity, though this often perpetuated existing social hierarchies
- Over the course of the 19th century, conservative thought evolved somewhat, with some conservatives adopting nationalism and capitalism, but the core emphasis remained on preserving established order and resisting revolutionary change
In summary, 19th-century conservatives sought to manage social change by defending traditional institutions and values, advocating gradual reform, and resisting the revolutionary and liberal impulses that they believed threatened social stability and continuity
