If you strip the word 'conservative' of its political stigma, it can be a good thing: it simply means the inclination to defend a prized value or tradition. Some societies treasure enterprise, for example; others, the art of conversation. Most regard tolerance and the pursuit of learning as universally important.

Another entirely worthy form of conservatism is caution. A company is said to be conservative when it avoids undue risk in order to protect the interests of its staff, shareholders and creditors. But merely clinging to things as they have always been contributes little to the common good; more is expected of conservatism today. Learning is again a good example. It is not enough to preserve the institutions of learning - a culture of learning must be promoted and new knowledge sought.