Scruton argues that conservatism starts from a sentiment that good things are easily destroyed but not easily created. We have collectively inherited good things that we must strive to keep. Further, democray needs boundaries to flourish. A shared identity - territory, culture, language - is a prerequisite for the politics of compromise.

Scruton argues that conservatism starts from a sentiment that good things are easily destroyed but not easily created. We have collectively inherited good things that we must strive to keep. Further, democray needs boundaries to flourish. A shared identity - territory, culture, language - is a prerequisite for the politics of compromise.