In ordinary language, the term "conservative" has a variety of meanings. It can refer to moderate or cautious behavior, a life styles that is conventional, even conformist, or fear of, or refusal to, change. Conservatism was first use to describe a distinctive political ideology in the early nineteenth century. During the nineteenth century. Pressures unleashed by industrialisation and reflected in the growth of liberalism, socialism and nationalism transformed Western countries. While these ideologies preached reform and, at times, supported revolution, conservatism stood in defence of an increasingly embattled traditional social order.

Such origins have deep impact upon the character of the conservative ideology. There is, for example some truth in the belief that conservatives have a clearer understanding of what they oppose than what they favour. In that sense, conservatism has been thought of as a negative philosophy, simply preaching resistance to, or at least wary suspicion of, change.