Graphic Guide PDF

The
Graphic Guide
to Conservatism
Olivier Ballou
The
Graphic Guide
to Conservatism
A visual primer on the conservative worldview
To Adrienne
graphicguidetoconservatism.com
olivierballou.com
You may freely share and modify this work for any purpose but please credit me.
I would love to hear how it is being used. Send a note to
.
creative commons
Published in 2011
Index
POLITICAL COMPASS
p.10
...................
Three
conservative
types
p.20
TRADITIONALIST
p.25
FREE MARKETEER
p.33
LIBERTARIAN
p.41
.........................
.......
PRIVATE PROPERTY
p.109
About the
author p.117
. .....................
........
.........
. ........
SELF-RELIANCE
p.91
LAW AND ORDER

p.81
. .. .
IMPERFECTIBILITY
p.63
..
MERITOCRACY
p.51
...
...
... ............. .
......... .
....... . .
......
..
.
......
....
Seven
conservative
ideas
p.50
INVISIBLE HAND
p.73
NATIONAL SECURITY
p.101
About the book

Full disclosure: Im a conservative. I started thinking about this project while in
university, where I found that conservative ideas were either misunderstood or
simply ignored.
I didnt want to write a big book, a historical book, a book filled with statistics, or a
book about politicians. Others have already done so.
Instead, I wanted to describe the conservative vision. I would condense ideas Ive
picked up over time, and use visuals to bring them to life. Less is more was my
guiding principle.
..............................
Why visions matter

This book is about a social vision also known as an ideology, philosophy, or worldview.
Visions exist because reality is sometimes too complex for our minds to fully grasp,
especially when trying to understand how societies work.
Raw reality is like a kaleidoscope with millions of human interactions:
A vision such as conservatism works like a map, which must leave out details to
be useful:
Once you understand a vision, you can judge how well it matches up with the facts.
The scope of the book

This graphic guide helps us understand conservatism by breaking it into parts:
PART 1 describes how political

opinions can be placed on a chart.
This allows us to situate conservatism
in relation to other views.
POLITICAL COMPASS
.................
TRADITIONALIST
FREE MARKETEER
LIBERTARIAN
PART 2 describes three conservative

types, which represent three
broad ways of looking at the world
and at history.
..............
.....
. ............ ....
. .. ....
. .......
. ......
.
. ..
LAW AND ORDER
. . .
MERITOCRACY
.
...
... .......... .
.......
......
.. ..
. ....
. . ...
PART 3 lays out seven ideas that

many conservatives share.
IMPERFECTIBILITY INVISIBLE HAND
SELF-RELIANCE
NATIONAL SECURITY
PRIVATE PROPERTY
The guide describes conservatism mostly as it applies to the English-speaking world:

the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
10
PART 1
Political
compass
11
What is a vision?
Social visions are proposals for how societies ought to work, and how this might be
achieved. They are based on assumptions about humans, the economy, the role of
government and culture.
ECONOMIC SYSTEM
HUMAN NATURE
What is human nature? Is it fixed, or
can it be shaped? Does competition
bring out the best or the worst in us?
How should we promote economic growth?

What is more important: dynamism and
opportunity, or security and equality?
..
..
..
...
...
.
..
...
...
...
..
...
..
.
...
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..
...
...
...
.
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..
...
..
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
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...
...
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Should government take an active role?

What should that role be?
...
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
...
...
HOW THINGS OUGHT TO BE
CULTURE
Should we preserve traditions?

Should we promote certain values?
12
Political compass
We often hear that peoples views are left-wing, right-wing or centrist:
LEFT-WING
SOCIALIST
CENTRIST
RIGHT-WING
CAPITALIST
CONSERVATIVE
PROGRESSIVE
However, this model only tells part of the story. Instead, lets add a vertical line to
form a political compass which measures opinions along two axes*:
LESS SOCIAL FREEDOM
MORE
ECONOMIC
FREEDOM
LESS
ECONOMIC
FREEDOM
MORE SOCIAL FREEDOM

* Learn more at politicalcompass.org.
13
Economic freedom
Right = Conservative
The horizontal axis looks at opinions about the role of government in the economy.
..................
MORE REDISTRIBUTION
At the far left end, government

owns and run all businesses,
redistributing wealth equally.
LESS STATE CONTROL

OVER BUSINESS
..................
$
LESS REDISTRIBUTION
.....................................................................................
MORE STATE CONTROL

OVER BUSINESS
The further right, the more economic

freedom (and the more conservative).
......
......
.....................................................................................
The further left, the less economic freedom.
At the far right end, government gives

private enterprise completely free reign,
with no wealth redistribution.
14
Economic freedom
Right = Conservative
Some examples of what each side supports:
LESS CONSERVATIVE
Higher taxes on businesses and the rich
MORE CONSERVATIVE
Lower taxes on businesses and the rich

SEE: MERITOCRACY
More generous pensions and welfare
Fewer handouts and more

personal responsibility
SEE: SELF-RELIANCE
Government-run healthcare and education
Private health care and education

SEE: MERITOCRACY
Environmentalism
Economic growth
SEE: FREE MARKETEER
Trade barriers to limit competition
Free trade between countries

SEE: FREE MARKETEER
15
Social freedom
Up = Conservative
Some examples of what each side supports:
Crack down on drug dealers
Expect immigrants to integrate
MORE
CONSERVATIVE
Fight terrorism
Limit marriage to one man, one woman
Decriminalize drugs
LESS
CONSERVATIVE
Promote multiculturalism
Protect civil liberties
Allow gay marriage
SEE: LAW & ORDER
SEE: TRADITIONALIST
SEE: NATIONAL SECURITY
SEE: TRADITIONALIST
16
Social freedom
Up = Conservative
The vertical axis measures the extent to which people value respect for tradition and
authority over social freedoms. This includes opinions on a variety of topics, including
war, crime and morality.
The higher up, the less social freedom (and the more conservative).
MORE RESPECT
FOR TRADITION
MORE RESPECT
FOR AUTHORITY
The lower down, the more social freedom.
LESS RESPECT
FOR TRADITION
LESS RESPECT
FOR AUTHORITY
17
Who are conservatives?

As we have seen, political visions can can be roughly categorized along two lines:
economic and social. In reality, most people are somewhere in the middle, and
sometimes opinions can cross categories. However, based on the political compass,
one can be broadly defined as an economic conservative, a social conservative, or both.
Take the quiz at www.politicalcompass.org* to see where you stand.
Economic
conservatism
MORE
ECONOMIC
FREEDOM
LESS SOCIAL FREEDOM
Social
conservatism
*This guide has no relation to politicalcompass.org.
18
Here is a slightly tongue-in-cheek look at what goes where on the political compass.
LESS SOCIAL FREEDOM

The Matrix
1984
China 1966 . . . . . . . .
.......
.......
.......
.......
China 2011
Reagan
Thatcher
MORE
ECONOMIC
FREEDOM
LESS
ECONOMIC
FREEDOM
Gandhi
Spring Break in Cancun
Hippie Commune
Amsterdam
Wild West
MORE SOCIAL FREEDOM
20
PART 2
Three
conservative
types
1. THE TRADITIONALIST
p.25
2. THE FREE MARKETEER

p.33
3. THE LIBERTARIAN
p.41
22
Three types
Weve looked at how beliefs can be laid out on the political compass.
Now we will look at three conservative types or models: the Traditionalist, the Free
Marketeer and the Libertarian see below where they might be expected to land on
our chart.
The three types dont see eye-to-eye on everything.

However, though they come about it differently, they largely end up agreeing on a set
of conservative ideas see PART 3.
Each type is meant to be a caricature. Conservatives are a diverse bunch, and not
everyone fits nicely into one of the three categories.
23
Summary
Here are the three types based on the model for
a social vision described earlier:
HUMAN NATURE
................
PRIMARY ROLE OF
GOVERNMENT
................
ECONOMIC SYSTEM
................
CULTURE
................
OBJECTIVE
24
TRADITIONALIST
FREE MARKETEER
LIBERTARIAN
PRESERVE WAY OF LIFE
MAXIMIZE PROSPERITY
MAXIMIZE FREEDOM
SEE: TRADITION
.......................
(WESTERN CIVILIZATION, NUCLEAR FAMILY)
.......................
.......................
PROTECT TRADITION
TRADE IS CIVILIZING
(YOU DONT FIGHT WITH YOUR CUSTOMER)

SEE: TRADE
............
CULTURE IS FLUID
(NO RIGHT MODEL)
SEE: EXPERIMENTATION
CAPITALISM
CAPITALISM
PURE CAPITALISM
(WARY ABOUT TOO MUCH MATERIALISM)
(MOST EFFICIENT)
(ONLY MORALLY JUST SYSTEM)
. ..
.. . .
.. .
... ... ......... ... ...
... .. .. .. ... .
. . . . . . .. .. .
.. ... .. .
..
. . . . .. .
.. .
.. .......
.. .... .. ..... .. .. .. .. .......

. .... .... ..
...... ......
. ... .. .... .
.. . .
. . .
SEE: INVISIBLE HAND
. . .. .
SEE: MERITOCRACY
DEFEND AGAINST THREATS
PROTECT PROPERTY
(SECURITY TRUMPS FREEDOM)
(NECESSARY FOR COMMERCE)
HUMANS ARE FLAWED

(PERFECT SOCIETY IS IMPOSSIBLE)
HUMANS ARE
NATURAL TRADERS
HUMANS ARE BORN

TO BE FREE
(PEOPLE RESPOND TO INCENTIVES)
(GOVERNMENT GETS IN THE WAY)
. ..
.. . .
.. .
... ... ......... ... ...
... .. .. .. ... .
. . . . . . .. .. .
.. ... .. .
..
. . . . .. .
.. .
.. . .
. . .
SEE: INVISIBLE HAND
. . .. .
SEE: IMPERFECTIBILITY
SEE: PRIVATE PROPERTY
SEE: PRIVATE PROPERTY
.. .......
& NATIONAL SECURITY
AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE
(FREEDOM TRUMPS SECURITY)
.. .... .. ..... .. .. .. .. .......

. .... .... ..
...... ......
. ... .. .... .
SEE: LAW & ORDER
SEE: FREEDOM ON PRINCIPLE
SEE: FREEDOM ON PRNCIPLE
25
THREE TYPES
The Traditionalist
......................................
3. THE LIBERTARIAN
26
The old tree
represents a belief in
time-tested values.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Social Conservative
Cultural Conservative
Paleoconservative
KEY FIGURE:
Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

British politician and philosopher,
known for his opposition to the
French Revolution.
27
History as seen by
the Traditionalist
Protestant Ethic culture of
hard work and thrift.
Over thousands of years of trial and
error, society learns to function better.
Rise of the West
European, Judeo-Christian
civilization takes the lead.
Birth of Christianity
PREHISTORIC
ANCIENT
Humans are intrinsically flawed (or sinful,

from the Christian perspective). In nature,
people are violent and selfish.
Fall of Rome
Positive events (top half)

Negative events (bottom half)
20TH CENTURY
28

Collapse of Soviet Union

Rise of American power
TODAY
Debt, rise of China and

terrorist threat dominant
position of West at risk.
Spread of Communism
Decline of marriage
1960s counter-culture
traditional values undermined.
29
THE TRADITIONALIST
Culture
Like the Free Marketeer and the Libertarian, the Traditionalist believes in capitalism.
However, the Traditionalist sees culture as the true bedrock of society.
Weve inherited a set of social values, which have gotten us to where we are. As the
saying goes, we stand on the shoulders of giants and we should be careful about
trying to fundamentally reshape our society.
30
THE TRADITIONALIST
Stability
The Traditionalist sees our way of life as the product of a long social experiment, based
on millennia of trial and error. These include institutions like families, churches, local
communities and businesses which keep our society stable and functioning well.
CHURCHES
...
...
..
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
FAMILIES
..
.................................................
BUSINESSES
The Traditionalist disagrees with the Libertarian who promotes unrestrained personal
freedom, such as the legalization of drugs. In the long run, it is impossible to maintain a
fiscally conservative state with a socially unrestrained one, without sustaining a large
welfare state and a costly police system.
HUMANS CANT DEAL WITH UNLIMITED FREEDOM
SEE: SELF-RELIANCE
&
LAW AND ORDER
31
THE TRADITIONALIST
Nuclear family
The Traditionalist believes that the nuclear family one man, one woman is a building
block of society. The Traditionalist sees men and women as biologically different, each
with their own role in parenting.
....
....
....
....
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....
..
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....
ECONOMIC
GROWTH
...
....
....
....
....
....
....
...
....
....
....
....
....
ORDER
..
..
SELF-RESTRAINT
SELF-RELIANCE
NUCLEAR FAMILY IS LINKED TO CONSERVATIVE VALUES
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
..
....
....
....
POVERTY
....
....
....
...
....
....
...
....
...
....
....
....
....
....
ADDICTION
..
DEPENDENCY
..
CRIME
SINGLE PARENTHOOD IS LINKED TO SOCIAL ILLS
32
THE TRADITIONALIST
Vigilance
While the Free Marketeer and the Libertarian believe in the possibility of continual
progress, the Traditionalist thinks our way of life is not as robust.
Ancient Rome was weakened by decay from inside, not just foreign invaders.
...................................
THE FALL OF ROME: A CAUTIONARY TALE
These days, the Traditionalist is concerned about the West declining due to:
GOVERNMENT DEBT
LOW BIRTH RATES
LAX SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
FAMILY BREAKDOWN
INDIVIDUALISM
AND MATERIALISM
IMMIGRANTS NOT
INTEGRATING
MORAL RELATIVISM*
These trends make the West more vulnerable to outside threats such as Islamic terrorism,
and being overtaken by rising powers such as China.
* The idea that moral judgements are only the product of personal opinion or of a certain culture (e.g., there is no such thing
as right and wrong).
33
THREE TYPES
The Free Marketeer

......................................
3. THE LIBERTARIAN
34
The economic chart
symbolizes a belief in the benefits

of free markets and competition.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Neoliberal
Fiscal Conservative
KEY FIGURE:
Adam Smith (1723-1790)

Scottish philosopher, considered to
be the father of modern economics.
35
History as seen by
the Free Marketeer

Commerce expands as
trade spans countries.
Trade allows people to specialize. If one tribe produces

good spears, and the other good baskets, trade benefits
both. Life improves as people collaborate more.
PREHISTORIC
ANCIENT
Industrial Revolution
mass production makes
goods more affordable.
20TH CENTURY
Without commerce, life is harsh.

People spend all day gathering food.
There is a high distrust of strangers.
Great Depression countries put up

trade barriers to protect local industries.
Move away from free markets. Birth of
modern welfare state.

36

Globalization in full swing more countries

adopt free economies. Living standards
improve in countries such as China.
Rise of American capitalism leads
the world in industrial production,
technology and consumer goods.
TODAY
Financial Crisis, rising

government debt
Spread of Communism
Failed experiments India and

other developing countries attempt
central economic planning.
Governments make promises they cant keep.

Welfare state expands. Taxes and debt rises.
37
THE FREE MARKETEER
Incentives
According to the Free Marketeer, people are rational and naturally act in their self-interest.
Therefore, our system should harness peoples desire to further themselves.
If you reduce this incentive through excessive taxation or by encouraging dependency,
society as a whole suffers.
SAVES TO BUY BIKE
STUDIES HARD TO GET

SCHOLARSHIP
IMMIGRATES TO IMPROVE
CHILDRENS FUTURE
TOILS ON HIS RESEARCH

TO IMPRESS PEERS
TAKES RISK TO
GROW COMPANY
SEEKS A JOB TO EARN

GIRLFRIENDS RESPECT
WORKS LATE TO GET

PROMOTED
INVESTS TO PREPARE
FOR RETIREMENT
SEE: MERITOCRACY
38
THE FREE MARKETEER
Trade
The Free Marketeer sees people as natural traders, and believes that trade
should be as free as possible.
An employee trades her labour for a salary, which in turn, she trades for goods
and services:
.................
.................
Countries also trade for mutual benefit:
.................
Trade not only makes everyone better off materially, but it has a civilizing influence
on both individuals and countries after all, you dont want to fight your customer.
.. . .
.. .
... ... ......... ... ...
... .. .. .. ... .
. . . . . . .. .. .
.. ... .. .
..
. ..
.. .
. . . . .. .
. . .. .
.. .......
.. .... .. ..... .. .. .. .. .......

. .... .... ..
...... ......
. ... .. .... .
.. . .
. . .
SEE: INVISIBLE HAND
39
THE FREE MARKETEER
Creative destruction
The Free Marketeer supports creative destruction: the rapid changes that come with
innovation and capitalism. For example, look at how farming has evolved:
ONE PERSON WITH A TRACTOR
TEN PEOPLE NEEDED TO CULTIVATE A FIELD
VS.
Creative destruction can mean that industries disappear and people must move or
acquire new skills. The Free Marketeer is opposed to labour unions or government
schemes that stand in the way of this process. Higher living standards are the direct
result of this often unpleasant churn.
To illustrate the benefits of creative destruction, see how long someone with an average
salary had to work to purchase something in the 1920-30s compared with recently*:
GREAT GRANDPA
Dozen eggs
Mattress and box spring
Coast-to-coast flight
YOU
80 MINS
5 MINS
161 HOURS
24 HOURS
366 HOURS
16 HOURS
HOURS WORKED TO BUY GOODS

* Economics: Private and Public Choice By James D. Gwartney, Richard L. Stroup, Russell S. Sobel, David MacPherson
41
THREE TYPES
The Libertarian
......................................
3. THE LIBERTARIAN
42
The porcupine
with its protective quills,

represents the view that people
should be free from all forms
of coercion.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Classical Liberal
Minarchist
KEY FIGURE:
Milton Friedman (1912-2006)

American economist, championed
free market economics and
minimal government intervention.
43
History as seen by
the Libertarian
Development of global trade,
technology and the arts.
Without a government,
humans collaborate and trade
with each other voluntarily.
PREHISTORIC
The Enlightenment
move towards reason
and individual freedom.
ANCIENT
Without laws, property

is at risk.
Dark Ages war and superstition.

American Revolution
principle of limited
government.
20TH CENTURY
44

Globalization social and economic

freedom spreads around the world.
TODAY
War on Terror civil

liberties at risk.
World War I expansion of

government power. Income
taxes introduced in the U.S.
1960-70s welfare state balloons.
Great Depression move

towards activist government.
45
THE LIBERTARIAN
Freedom on principle
Unlike the Free Marketeer who supports free enterprise because it is efficient, the
Libertarian believes in freedom on principle. This means total freedom in all fields both
economic and social as long as you do not harm others.
FREEDOM
The Libertarian believes that people have a right to:
PURE LAISSEZ-FAIRE
CAPITALISM
UNRESTRICTED
GUN OWNERSHIP
LEGALIZED DRUGS
LEGALIZED
PROSTITUTION
Even the most benign of government interventions, such as seat belt laws, are seen as
breaches of personal freedom.
People must be free to make irresponsible choices however, these same people
cannot expect government to pick up the pieces.
46
THE LIBERTARIAN
Minimal government
The Libertarian is the most adamant of all conservatives in insisting that the role of
government should be strictly limited to a police force, the military and the courts.
PROTECTING
PRIVATE PROPERTY
PROTECTING PEOPLE
FROM BEING PHYSICALLY
HARMED BY OTHERS
A MILITARY USED
SOLELY FOR DEFENCE
Unlike the Traditionalist, the Libertarian has a natural distrust of government authority.
Even if government acts with the best intentions and the consent of the majority, the
Libertarian is wary.
Government naturally seeks to increase its power. For instance, the War on Terror and
the War on Drugs are two examples where government has infringed on people's civil
liberties in pursuit of popular goals.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
47
THE LIBERTARIAN
Experimentation
The Libertarian does not promote a particular model of sinful or saintly living. Rather, he
or she believes that the choice belongs solely to the individual not government.
However, the Libertarian believes that there is value in experimentation. Here, the
Libertarian again differs from the Traditionalist. While the Traditionalist believes in a more
or less fixed code for living, the Libertarian believes in experiments in living.
EXPERIMENTS IN LIVING
To the Libertarian, culture is fluid.

If you allow for as many lifestyle permutations as possible, you are better able to learn
about what works, and what doesnt.
LET A HUNDRED FLOWERS BLOOM
50
PART 3
Seven
conservative
ideas
1. MERITOCRACY
p.51
5. SELF-RELIANCE
p.91
2. IMPERFECTIBILITY
p.63
. ..
...
..................
............ .
.......... .
...... . .
..
.................... . ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.. . .
. . .
.........
3. INVISIBLE HAND
p.73
6. NATIONAL SECURITY
p.101
4. LAW AND ORDER

p.81
7. PRIVATE PROPERTY
p.109
...
...
. ....
. . . . ..
..
...
51
SEVEN IDEAS
Meritocracy
.............................................
2. IMPERFECTIBILITY
. ..
...
..................
............ .
.......... .
...... . .
...
...
. ....
..
. . . . ..
..
...
.........
.................... . ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.. . .
. . .
3. INVISIBLE HAND
4. LAW AND ORDER
5. SELF-RELIANCE
7. PRIVATE PROPERTY
1. MERITOCRACY
52
The podium
with different levels (gold, silver,

bronze) symbolizes the concept of
reward based on merit.
VS.
The level surface
represents equal outcomes for all.
53
Equality of opportunity
Throughout life, we take on challenges that involve discipline and the risk of failure.
OPEN
TAKING AN EXAM
STARTING A BUSINESS
PLAYING A
COMPETITIVE SPORT
Conservatives believe in an even playing field. However, this doesnt mean that
society can guarantee a prize to both winners and losers.
Different people have different skills. Some are more hard-working than others.
There is also the element of chance. Therefore, different incomes and other
inequities are unavoidable.
CONSERVATIVES BELIEVE IN EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
..................................................
..............................
.........................................................
.................................................................................
HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE EQUALITY OF RESULTS
54
Trickle-down effect
Capitalism rewards those who create products that people find useful, such as a
life-saving drug or a nice piece of furniture. The success of the entrepreneur then
trickles down to the rest of us.
..................................................
Steve Jobss personal bank account is
a small part of the wealth he created
.............
................................................................................
..........
............................
Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple
Allows for
communication
between friends
Spin-off jobs created when

Apple employees buy
goods and services
...........
...........................................
Thousands of jobs
.......................
....................
Innovative products
Pushes competitors
to improve products
Used to produce creative works
55
Economic pie
The economy isnt like a pie with a fixed number of dollars, jobs or opportunities to be
divided up. If John got a job, it doesnt mean that he took it from Adam. Rather, the
pie has infinite room to grow.
.........................................
How could New York City grow so fast over the past century and continue to provide
jobs and opportunities to new residents? Thanks to creativity and risk-taking, the
economy simply created them out of thin air.
........................
NEW YORK CITY 1880

POP. 1,200,000
NEW YORK CITY 2010

POP. 8,400,000
56
Education
There is a debate about whether good students from poor neighbourhoods should
be encouraged to attend private schools through scholarships or vouchers.
HOW VOUCHERS WORK
...............................
..................
PUBLIC
Government gives parents
certificates which can be applied
toward tuition at any school
...
....
....
....
Parents choose public

or private school
..................................
PRIVATE
Some critics oppose this, arguing that this would lower the level of the public
schools by encouraging the best students to leave.
Conservatives would rather not see the students with the most potential dragged
down for the sake of equality.
..........
.......................
57
Life can be unfair

Though a meritocratic system is best overall, injustices will still occur.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE

TERRIBLE CHILDHOODS
SOME CRIMINALS GET AWAY

WITH THEIR CRIMES
SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN RICH

AND NEVER WORK
Sometimes, life simply isnt fair. However, that doesnt mean that society must be
re-shaped. Conservatives are more willing to accept these shortcomings and are
skeptical of government attempts to solve them.
58
Crabs in a bucket
Conservatives admire success. On the flip side, conservatives are wary of envy.
The expression crabs in a bucket refers to the way crabs prevent each other from
escaping a pot. This recalls the human tendency to want to pull down those who do
better than others.
59
Conservative classic
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

In this futuristic world, all inequities are eliminated by force.
Hazel Bergeron is deemed by the government to be

perfectly average.
Her husband George is much smarter than average. He is

made to wear earphones which ring loudly every few
seconds to interrupt his thought process. Weights around his
neck compensate for his physical strength.
They watch a ballet in which dancers wear armour-like weights and hideous masks
to hide their beautiful faces. The orchestra plays purposely out of key.
Suddenly, it is announced that a dangerous fugitive has escaped from prison.
60
The fugitive bursts onto the stage. He has the heaviest

weights and ugliest mask of all.
Hazel and George realize it is their son, Harrison, who
had been taken as a child by the authorities.
Harrison rips off his mask and weights, revealing a

heroic figure.
He frees a ballerina from her restraints and orders

the orchestra to play in tune. In this act of rebellion,
both dance beautifully, flaunting their grace.
And then they are shot down by the authorities.
The story demonstrates how a fully egalitarian society, with equal outcomes for
everyone, can only be achieved through government prohibition of individual
success. Therefore, everyone can only be equal at the lowest common denominator.
Conservatives argue that different incomes and other inequities are unavoidable in a
free society.
61
Pursuit of happiness
Meritocracy doesnt guarantee success, but it does offer the pursuit of happiness.
Without dreams, without risk,

only a trivial semblance of
living can be achieved
-Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
63
SEVEN IDEAS
Imperfectibility
1. MERITOCRACY
.............................................
. ..
...
..................
............ .
.......... .
...... . .
...
...
. ....
..
. . . . ..
..
...
.........
.................... . ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.. . .
. . .
3. INVISIBLE HAND
4. LAW AND ORDER
5. SELF-RELIANCE
7. PRIVATE PROPERTY
2. IMPERFECTIBILITY
64
The cracked window
symbolizes the innate,

unchangeable flaws in humans.
VS.
The lump of clay
represents the belief that people

can be moulded and perfected.
65
Humans are imperfect

Conservatives believe that humans are naturally flawed, and many unpleasant traits are
here to stay, such as:
VIOLENCE
POOR HEALTH CHOICES
PREJUDICE
FRAUD
ADDICTION
BAD PARENTING
This doesnt mean that people cannot improve. Over time, we have learned from
experience. However, human nature has not changed.
Conservatives believe that we should live with these imperfections, as they are
rooted in humanity.
66
Selfishness
Conservatives understand that people are not altruistic. While humans are capable of
acts of generosity, they tend to put their own and their families interests ahead of those
of society as a whole.
...................................
If an earthquake killed
everyone in a foreign country...
...you would probably sleep fine.
...................................
If you lost your little finger...
...you might not.
Therefore, conservatives dont believe it is possible to build a society which relies

only on altruism or a sense of collective duty.
67
............................
Naturally good
Some critics disagree with conservative
views on human nature. Instead, they think
that pre-historic people were egalitarian,
tolerant and peaceful. This is known as the
concept of the noble savage.
............................
According to them, humans later

changed for the worse. Modern society
made them increasingly violent and
selfish. Humans are therefore a product
of their environment.
Hence, by changing the structure of

society and educating people, you could
potentially eliminate these problems.
68
Naturally flawed
............................
Many conservatives believe that the

state of nature looked more like this*.
............................
Through trial and error, and by imposing

law and order, weve managed to
progress in spite of our flaws.
Conservatives dont believe that perfect

harmony is achievable. At best, we can
expect an imperfect society which is
relatively free and orderly.
* Philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) famously wrote that life was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.
69
Good intentions...
Starting in the 1950s, many white Americans left the city for the suburbs, leaving the inner
cities mostly poor and black.
Government planners and modernist architects had a solution to the problem of inner-city
poverty: tear down the slums and put up brand new affordable apartment blocks instead.
Why did this experiment fail?
70
...gone wrong
The buildings known as the projects soon became run-down and crime-ridden. After
having spent fortunes constructing them, governments eventually had them demolished.
Conservatives would argue that it was naive to believe you could lift people into
middle-classdom simply by building concrete boxes.
Conservatives feel that we should tolerate imperfections, such as pockets of poverty.
Successful communities evolve gradually on their own.
71
Limited government
Conservatives are distrustful of revolutions and other grand schemes to achieve utopia.
Rather, government action should be limited.
Philosopher Edmund Burke wrote that trying to reshape society is like meddling with the
mechanisms of your watch its usually a bad idea.
73
SEVEN IDEAS
Invisible hand
1. MERITOCRACY
2. IMPERFECTIBILITY
.........
.................... . ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.. . .
7. PRIVATE PROPERTY
..
. . .
5. SELF-RELIANCE
...
4. LAW AND ORDER
....
.. . .
...
... ..................
............ .
.......... .
...... . .
. ....
.............................................
..
.. . .
3. INVISIBLE HAND
74
. ....
.
...
.
.
...
.
.
... ..................
.
.
.
.
...
............ .
.......... .
....... .
..
..
. .................... ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.........
.. . .
. . .
The invisible hand
describes how markets efficiently

provide the things people need,
without central planning.
VS.
The pointing finger

represents government
control over the economy.
75
Invisible hand
.........
The economist Adam Smith coined the term invisible hand. This means that a
free economy works all by itself, as if guided by an invisible force: It is not from
the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer or the baker, that we expect our
dinner, but from their regard to their own self interest.
If enough people want a

certain kind of shirt...
.........
...stores will order them...
.........
...manufacturers will make them,

and farmers will grow more cotton...
.........
...more people will attend design

school and create new shirts...
The result: a huge range of shirt

prices, sizes and styles.
76
Central planning
The opposite of free markets is central planning. Planned economies were once used in
the Soviet Union, China and India though they have since been abandoned.
.........
An official sets the style, size and

price of shirts to be produced.
.........
?
x
x
...the store has no incentive to order it,

nor the manufacturer to make it, nor the
farmer to grow more cotton...
...nor the designer to create new styles...
.........
.........
If someone wants a different size

or style...
The result: long queues for a poor

selection of ill-fitting clothing.
77
Pencils
How many people contribute to making a pencil?* 100? 1,000? 10,000? The number is
actually in the millions. Lets look at one tiny part of the process:
..........
To obtain the wood, you must cut a tree.
..........
The chainsaw needs a blade.
To make a blade...
...transformed...
..........
...minerals are mined... ...transported...
...shipped...
...and sold.
Each machine in the blade factory has been...
etc.
etc.
etc.
etc.
...maintained...
..........
...powered...
..........
...transported...
..........
...manufactured..
..........
..........
...designed....
etc.
Every step of the way, countless strangers collaborate, from the farmer who grows the food
the lumberjack eats, to the programmer who created the factorys accounting software.
* Based on the essay I, Pencil by Leonard Read.
78
Government
Since the free market is so efficient, conservatives are wary of government attempts to
intervene in the economy.
There are simply too many

moving parts to predict or
control the economy.
Even if government put

the most intelligent
person in the world in
charge of the economy...
...a baker still knows more

about running a bakery.
Conservatives see the role of the government in the economy like that of a traffic officer.
The officer makes sure that cars dont crash into one another, but doesnt tell them
where to go.
79
Cucumbers
One day, the government of the Canadian province of Newfoundland learned of a miracle
technology a giant, high-tech greenhouse that could grow cucumbers in only six days.
The premier exclaimed:
Holy smokes let Newfoundland be first in something!
However, the cucumbers ended up costing much more than planned, and there was
simply not enough demand for them. Many ended up as cow feed.
After pouring millions of tax dollars into the project, the greenhouses were shut down.
Conservatives are distrustful of any enterprise which depends heavily on government
subsidies. After all, had the cucumber technology been so great, private sector
businesspeople would have invested in it.
81
SEVEN IDEAS
Law and order

1. MERITOCRACY
2. IMPERFECTIBILITY
.. . .
...
... ..................
............ .
.......... .
...... . .
. ....
...
..
....
..
.. . .
.........
.................... . ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.. . .
. . .
3. INVISIBLE HAND
.............................................
5. SELF-RELIANCE
7. PRIVATE PROPERTY
4. LAW AND ORDER
82
The police badge
represents an approach to
crime based on punishment
and personal responsibility.
VS.
The flower
represents an approach to
crime based on rehabilitation
and forgiveness.
83
Personal guilt
Conservatives believe that within any society, there will always be people who commit
crimes. Since humans are imperfect, the law is there to keep us in check. However, those
who break the law should be held personally responsible and punished accordingly.
.................
..
..
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
.................
CRIME
PUNISHMENT
...
...
DECISION
84
Collective guilt
Others disagree with conservatives, arguing instead that criminals are products of their
environment. In other words, society bears a collective guilt for the criminal behaviour.
POVERTY
.................
..
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
..
ADDICTION
.................
CRIME
REHABILITATION &
FORGIVENESS
85
Bad apples
Conservatives believe that society has its bad apples those who are so lawless
and irredeemable that they will always be a threat and cannot be rehabilitated.
Bad apples must be excluded from

society to protect the rest of us...
...and in the most extreme

cases, conservatives generally
support the death penalty.
86
Guns
American conservatives generally support the right to own or carry a firearm. A gun can
serve as a persons last line of defence against a criminal or a madman.
THEN PREVENT CATTLE THEFT
NOW STOP SHOOTING SPREE
87
Order
Conservatives value order since they see it as a foundation of a well functioning society.
When people feel safe, they can better pursue happiness. However, society is not
naturally orderly and we must actively keep chaos at bay:
.............
Consider an abandoned building.
.............
It remains untouched for a while,

until a vandal breaks a window.
.............
If it isnt fixed, someone will break a

few more. Soon, intruders will enter.
Finally, someone may set fire to it.
88
Order
Many conservatives are intolerant of acts that may seem minor or victimless.
Some examples include:
GRAFFITI
ILLEGAL
IMMIGRATION
DRUG USE
SQUEEGEE KIDS
People constantly scan their surroundings to judge what is acceptable behaviour. An

ordered environment sends the message that criminal acts are not tolerated.*
* Learn more by searching for Broken windows theory.
89
Retribution
Conservatives also see punishment as retributive.
...................
When a criminal harms someone, he

creates an imbalance.
...................
Without a legal system that gives the victims

family and friends the assurance that the crime
will be punished, people may be tempted to
commit vigilante justice.
When a judge imposes a punishment,

this helps correct this imbalance.
90
Victims
Conservatives believe that a criminal must pay a debt to society. If someone
holds up a store, he harms not only the cashier and the store owner he also
creates a climate of insecurity for their families, other cashiers and storeowners,
the entire neighbourhood, and society as a whole.
91
SEVEN IDEAS
Self-reliance
1. MERITOCRACY
2. IMPERFECTIBILITY
.. . .
...
... ..................
............ .
.......... .
...... . .
. ....
...
..
....
..
.. . .
.........
.................... . ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.. . .
. . .
3. INVISIBLE HAND
4. LAW AND ORDER
.............................................
7. PRIVATE PROPERTY
5. SELF-RELIANCE
92
The compass
which helps you to find your way

when you are lost, represents
self-reliance.
VS.
The blanket
that keeps you warm, represents

the notion that government should
take care of all our needs.
93
Self-reliance
Conservatives value hard work and autonomy. On the flip side, conservatives believe
that idleness and dependancy are harmful.
While government should prevent extreme poverty, able-bodied people have a
responsibility to pull their own weight.
GIVE A MAN A FISH, AND YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY...
...TEACH A MAN TO FISH, AND YOU FEED HIM FOR A LIFETIME.
94
Negative rights
Conservatives favour negative rights over positive rights.
Examples of negative rights include:
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL
They are the right to be protected from abuses by government or others.

On the other hand, conservatives are critical of positive rights the idea that people are
entitled to something from government.
Conservatives might disagree with positive rights such as:
A GUARANTEED JOB
FREE UNIVERSITY TUITION
RENT CONTROL
95
Nanny state
Conservatives believe that government shouldnt act as a nanny state.
Government should instead assume that people are capable of making their own
choices and planning their future:
BUYING INSURANCE
RAISING CHILDREN
SAVING FOR RETIREMENT
....................................
...it can undermine their
ability to be self-reliant...
If government shields
people too much...
...................
................
..............................
...which means ever more calls for
government involvement.
...which leads to weaker

families and communities...
96
The good life

Conservatives not only believe that dependancy is costly for society but that it also
harms individuals themselves.
To conservatives, self-reliance is part of the good life.
SELF-RELIANCE
+
SELF-CONTROL
...
.
...
..
...
...
..
SELF-CONFIDENCE
....
.
&
SELF-DETERMINATION
97
Delayed gratification
Conservatives believe that an important value is the willingness to forgo short-term
pleasure for long-term gain.
Study 1
In a study* conducted on four-year-old children, a researcher left each child alone in
a room with a marshmallow on a desk.
DELAY GRATIFICATION
...
..
...
..
..
...
..
..
...
..
..
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
The researcher gave each child a choice: have a marshmallow right away, or wait a
few minutes and get two when the researcher returned.
INDULGE RIGHT AWAY
Researchers kept track of the kids over time, and found that the same children who
delayed gratification did better in school and were less likely to take drugs.
* Study by Walter Mischel, Stanford Professor of Psychology.
98
Delayed gratification
Some disagree with the conservative focus on self-control. Critics say that poverty is
mainly a result of insufficient government aid, discrimination and low wages.
Study 2
Another American study* looked at this question and found that if you:
FINISH HIGH SCHOOL
+
WORK FULL TIME
(EVEN MINIMUM WAGE)
WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE

MARRIED AND 21 YEARS
OLD TO HAVE A CHILD
2%
ODDS OF BEING POOR**
* Study by Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill, Brookings Institution.
** under the official poverty line
99
Resist the sirens

In Greek Mythology, the character Odysseus hears about sirens who live on an island
and lure sailors with their voices and music only to watch them shipwreck on the
rocks surrounding the island.
Odysseus wants to hear the sirens, so he has his sailors plug their ears with wax while
he has himself tied to the mast, with orders not to untie him under any circumstances.
The fable recalls the real-world siren songs that can derail lives as well as the
ability to resist them.
100
The Ant and the Grasshopper by Aesop

This fable involves two characters:
The ant works all summer to gather food for the winter.
At the same time, the grasshopper idles away the summer. He sings all day and mocks
the ant for being so boring.
When the winter comes, the cold and hungry grasshopper begs at the ants door only
to be rebuked.
Conservatives tend to side with the ant.
101
SEVEN IDEAS
National security
1. MERITOCRACY
2. IMPERFECTIBILITY
..
...
...
... ..................
............ .
.......... .
...... . .
. ....
...
..
..
. . . . .. .
.........
.................... . ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.. . .
. . .
3. INVISIBLE HAND
4. LAW AND ORDER
5. SELF-RELIANCE
.............................................
7. PRIVATE PROPERTY
102
The hawk
represents the need for a strong

military and the will to use it.
VS.
The dove
symbolizes the notion that

conflicts can always be
peacefully resolved.
103
National security
Conflict has existed throughout history and conservatives see it as a reality of life.
Conservatives believe that countries will always have enemies, just as crime is a
constant within any society.
Hence we should be vigilant about threats both at home and abroad.
VIGILANCE
Over time, national security risks have included:
FOREIGN ARMIES
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
ESPIONAGE
TREASON
TERRORISM
104
Power
Conservatives believe that countries act in their own self-interest, just like humans.
Every country wants to increase its power while protecting its security. American
conservatives are unabashed about wanting their country to remain Number 1.
During the Cold War, power was measured in different ways. The United States
defeated the USSR by besting it on every measure.
VS.
NUCLEAR ARSENAL
ECONOMIC OUTPUT
IDEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE
105
Terrorism
Conservatives dont believe that Islamic terrorism is caused by American interference in
the Middle East or that terrorists can be appeased. Rather, conservatives see jihad as a
death cult that seeks to spread an oppressive form of Islam by force.
Though conservatives value freedom, many believe that some rights need to be
reconsidered in order to combat terrorism:
GOVERNMENT
SURVEILLANCE
PROFILING FOR
AIRPORT SECURITY
AGGRESSIVE
INTEROGATION
METHODS
MILITARY TRIALS
FOR TERRORISTS
106
War is a necessary evil

Conservatives dont believe that all conflicts stem from misunderstandings that can be
resolved peacefully.
Sometimes war is a necessary evil, and a country should have a strong military that it
is prepared to use.
A famous political ad by former U.S. President Reagan stated:

Theres a bear in the woods. For some people, the bear is easy to see. Others dont see it at
all. Some people say the bear is tame. Others say its vicious. And dangerous. Since no one
can really be sure whos right, isnt it smart to be as strong as the bear? If there is a bear?
107
Spreading freedom
Conservatives also support a strong military for idealistic reasons. Conservatives see the
West in particular America as a force for good. While advancing its own interests,
America has also helped maintain order and spread freedom around the world.
...............
.................
MARSHALL PLAN
DEFEAT NAZIS
.................
CONTAIN COMMUNISM
GLOBAL TRADE
.................
NUCLEAR UMBRELLA
DEFEAT COMMUNISM
Conservatives hoped that the missions in Afghanistan and Iraq would have the same effect.
.................
.................
AFGHANISTAN WAR
IRAQ WAR
SPREAD DEMOCRACY
IN MIDDLE EAST
However, some conservatives have changed their minds. Skepticism about grand social
schemes raises doubts about trying to reshape a foreign country by force.
108
300 (2007 film)
Sparta is told to submit to a massive Persian army. While Spartan priests and politicians
wish to appease the Persians, King Leonidas and his disciplined army of 300 confront the
barbaric enemy hordes reminding us that freedom isnt free.
109
SEVEN IDEAS
Private property
1. MERITOCRACY
2. IMPERFECTIBILITY
..
...
...
... ..................
............ .
.......... .
...... . .
. ....
...
..
..
. . . . .. .
.........
.................... . ... ....

...........
............
. ..........
.. . .
. . .
3. INVISIBLE HAND
4. LAW AND ORDER
5. SELF-RELIANCE
.............................................
7. PRIVATE PROPERTY
110
The closed gate
that limits access to the owners

land, represents the concept of
private ownership.
VS.
The open gate
that is accessible to all,

represents public ownership.
111
Private property
Conservatives value the right to own private property, be it:
LAND
MONEY
COMPANY
VEHICLE
People in the West often take for granted the right to private property. Before we had
the police and courts, the world was a rough place.
Look at towns in the Middle Ages: they were designed for a time when people
were at the mercy of roving bandits.
When life became safer, people no longer had to spend as much time and money
defending themselves.
Someone who owns property can borrow against it or pass it on to the next
generation. A society with secure property rights will be prosperous and stable.
112
Role of government
This can mean a police

officer catching a burglar...
..
...
..
...
...
..
...
..
..
...
..
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
While conservatives believe in small government, they agree that protecting people's
property is one of its fundamental roles.
...or a judge enforcing a contract.
At the same time, the government should not be allowed to

confiscate property for itself without legitimate reasons.
113
Bad incentives
As was mentioned earlier, conservatives believe that incentives matter.
A lack of property rights reinforces destructive behaviour:
.............
Businesspeople who cant ensure

their agreements will be enforced
wont trade with as many people...
...or they may be tempted to

swindle others.
Companies wont invest in a country

where the state is likely to confiscate
businesses...
...and weak property rights

tempt corruptible officials.
114
Collective farms
Following the Russian Revolution, Soviet authorities confiscated farmland and created
collective farms. The state set crop targets and people were coerced into joining.
These farms proved to be very innefficient:
95%
of the farmland in the Soviet

Union was public, large-scale
and mechanized.
..............
the land consisted of small

5% ofprivate
plots that people
cultivated in their free time.
all the food in the USSR

25% ofwas
produced by these
small gardens.
* Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities by Jerome Donald Fellmann, Arthur Getis, Judith Getis
115
Tragedy of the commons

The Tragedy of the Commons describes the problems that occur when a group of
farmers share a common grazing field. Each farmer is tempted to add too many cows,
until the grass is gone ruining the pasture for everyone.
....................................................
.....................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
THE COMMONS
....................................................
.....................................................
.....................................................
.....................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
PRIVATE PLOTS
When you own something, you take care of it. If something belongs to everyone, then it
belongs to no one and it will not be treated well.
The
Graphic Guide
to Conservatism
About the author
OLIVIER BALLOU
Born and raised in Quebec, my two great passions have always been design and politics.
Ive since worked as a visual communications professional both in the political world and
in the private sector. I obtained my masters degree in Political Communication from the
London School of Economics.
Tell YOUR story visually

If your organization would like to use visuals to get its message across whether through
graphic layouts or video clips write to
or visit my site:
olivierballou.com
Thank you
A special thanks to:
Eloise Ballou
Steve Ballou
Adrienne Beaudry
Andrew Christie
Bradley Doucet
Hamish Marshall
John Menzies
Christian Steimel
Sam Hiyate
Andrew MacDougall
Michael Prell
Aaron Rodericks
Chris Schafer
Yekaterina Syrtsova
Also to:
Paul Beaudry
Alexandre Catta
Adam Daifallah
Design inspiration:
David McCandless
Jonathan Jarvis
Alexander Rodchenko
Thank you to the Noun Project for many of the icons.
Content:
The ideas in this book come from numerous articles, books and videos Ive come
across over the years too numerous to list or even recall. However, the following
authors deserve a special mention:
Brian Lee Crowley
Victor Davis Hanson
Milton Friedman
Russell Kirk
Ezra Levant
Martin Masse
Kenneth Minogue
Ayn Rand
Thomas Sowell
Mark Steyn
Bill Whittle

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The

A visual primer on the conservative worldview

LAW AND ORDER

About the book

Why visions matter

The scope of the book

PART 1 describes how political

PART 2 describes three conservative

LAW AND ORDER

PART 3 lays out seven ideas that

IMPERFECTIBILITY INVISIBLE HAND

The guide describes conservatism mostly as it applies to the English-speaking world:

How should we promote economic growth?

Should government take an active role?

HOW THINGS OUGHT TO BE

Should we preserve traditions?

LESS SOCIAL FREEDOM

MORE SOCIAL FREEDOM

At the far left end, government

LESS STATE CONTROL

MORE STATE CONTROL

The further right, the more economic

The further left, the less economic freedom.

At the far right end, government gives

Some examples of what each side supports:

Higher taxes on businesses and the rich

Lower taxes on businesses and the rich

More generous pensions and welfare

Fewer handouts and more

Government-run healthcare and education

Private health care and education

Trade barriers to limit competition

Free trade between countries

Some examples of what each side supports:

Crack down on drug dealers

Expect immigrants to integrate

Limit marriage to one man, one woman

Protect civil liberties

Allow gay marriage

SEE: LAW & ORDER

SEE: NATIONAL SECURITY

The lower down, the more social freedom.

Who are conservatives?

LESS SOCIAL FREEDOM

*This guide has no relation to politicalcompass.org.

LESS SOCIAL FREEDOM

MORE SOCIAL FREEDOM

2. THE FREE MARKETEER

The three types dont see eye-to-eye on everything.

PRESERVE WAY OF LIFE

(WESTERN CIVILIZATION, NUCLEAR FAMILY)

(YOU DONT FIGHT WITH YOUR CUSTOMER)

(WARY ABOUT TOO MUCH MATERIALISM)

(ONLY MORALLY JUST SYSTEM)

.. .... .. ..... .. .. .. .. .......

SEE: INVISIBLE HAND

DEFEND AGAINST THREATS

(SECURITY TRUMPS FREEDOM)

(NECESSARY FOR COMMERCE)

HUMANS ARE FLAWED

HUMANS ARE BORN

(PEOPLE RESPOND TO INCENTIVES)

(GOVERNMENT GETS IN THE WAY)