Why do conservatives often value families, schools, churches, and laws?

Conservatives often value institutions like families, schools, churches, and laws because they view human nature as inherently prone to selfishness, irrationality, and destructive passions. Rather than believing individuals can be perfected through political engineering, conservatives argue that these traditional institutions are essential to "bridle and subdue" base instincts.1

Specifically, these institutions serve as vital frameworks for teaching self-discipline and fostering the ethical behavior necessary for a functioning society. When individuals fail to internalize these lessons, conservatives believe that government and law must impose the necessary order to ensure stability and the responsible use of liberty.1

Furthermore, conservatives emphasize the importance of tradition and historical continuity. They view society as a complex, inherited partnership between the dead, the living, and those yet to be born. By preserving established cultural and social structures, conservatives aim to protect the wisdom accumulated over generations, which they believe is more reliable than abstract, untested schemes for social change.12