Safe

At the level of the individual most people want a reasonably prosperous life. They want the basics plus friendship, perhaps love and a sense of meaning and purpose. 

However as we begin to zoom out we start to see the first signs of trouble. Groups are formed which begin to exclude others. There are jealousies created and prejudicial behaviour begins to be seen. 

We zoom out yet again at communities, towns, cities and countries and the same pattern is repeated but at a more complex level. We see networks form which employ both the best and the worst of human nature. 

Conservatism at its core is a fear-based mindset which at every stage of history has a type of incarnation. It fears change and wants a status-quo to remain which suits the power dynamics that were working for those people albeit perhaps imperfectly. 

However, at least it felt safe for them. 

Conservatives tend towards exclusionary behaviours because social progress almost always implies a redistribution of power. Immigrants, women, visible minorities, etc are challenging a model that existed before. 

When we introduce big shifts in the social order it brings out a radical response in the most fearful people. They form a coordinated response and suddenly a barrage of pushback at every level of society is initiated. 

It is where we are now.