1. Classical Conservatism 17th – 19thC
Sought to defend the status quo against the challenges of modernity, secularism and liberalism.
Edmund Burke (1729 – 1797) Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790) Very pessimistic about radical social and political change as with the French Revolution of 1789.

2. Main Tenets of Classical Conservatism
Order and stability: Maintained to the extent that authority is respected. Therefore, traditional bases of authority such as law, state power, religion, class, patriotism etc…should be protected.
Human Nature: Humans are born wicked (original sin). Pessimistic about the perfectibility of man. Restraints needed for civilization.

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3. Experience/Pragmatism: Politics should be guided by the experience generated over centuries and not simply by “reason” or “ideals”. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
4. Gradual, incremental change: Against radical or extreme changes to society and politics. Organic view.

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5. Pessimistic about equality: Prefer liberty but see these as in tension if not contradiction.
6. Particularists rather than universalists: What is right for the US or Britain will not be for all countries.
7. Government needs to be very powerful given human fallibility.