Why do conservatives believe sudden political changes can be dangerous?

Conservatives generally view sudden political change as dangerous because they believe society is too complex to be successfully re-engineered through abstract theories or "rationalist blueprints". This perspective is rooted in several key principles:12

• Distrust of Abstract Reason: Conservatives argue that attempts to plan society based on theoretical principles—rather than concrete, time-tested traditions—are misguided and likely to result in disaster or despotism.12
• Complexity and Unpredictability: Because societies are intricate, there is no reliable connection between government intervention and actual outcomes. Sudden, large-scale changes often have unpredictable and potentially destructive consequences.13
• The Value of Tradition: Conservatives view society as a partnership between the dead, the living, and those yet to be born. Traditions, manners, and institutions are seen as the "latent wisdom" of ancestors; destroying them without a proven replacement risks losing the essential frameworks that curb human selfishness and maintain social stability.21
• Human Nature: Many conservatives believe human beings are prone to irrationality and passion. Consequently, they rely on established institutions—such as families, churches, and law—to provide necessary restraint, rather than relying on the hope that political change can fundamentally improve human nature.1

Instead of radical shifts, conservatives typically advocate for evolutionary, incremental improvements that preserve the stability of the social order.23