What is Conservatism? - Dr Greg Melluish. The concept of conservatism in political theory is rooted in several philosophical assumptions: including the concept that people are prone to deep infallibility and evil (hence a need for restraint and slow reform); and a deep distrust of ‘grandiose’ or ‘new and untested ideologies’, whereby political leaders claim a mandate to radically change or overturn accepted social, ethical and cultural wisdom. Conservatism is concerned with conserving or preserving the existing order as the best means of providing a stable political and social order able to meet human needs. Conservatism is sometimes characterised as a disposition or attitude rather than a philosophy or theory.