Candace Hitchcock, age 16, of Marquette, Mich., for her question:

JUST WHAT IS CONSERVATISM?

Conservatism is a political attitude or philosophy that places much emphasis on tradition. Conservatism relies on history as a guide to wisdom.

Those who follow the philosophy of conservatism have great respect for historical institutions and traditional values and ideas. Because of this, they seek progress in line with proven values of the past.

But the word "conservatism" can be confusing because its meaning varies with time, place and circumstances. The word "conservative" can also be very confusing.

Many people who call themselves conservatives advocate a return to the principles and theories of liberalism of the 1800s. They oppose almost all government regulations of the economy and are economic liberals in the tradition of Adam Smith.

Traditionally, however, conservatives have opposed both economic liberalism and socialism. They have tried to steer a middle course between the extremes of individualism and collective ownership and they have generally favored a strong central government.

A true conservative should also be distinguished from a reactionary. A reactionary wants to revolutionize existing society according to a model in past history. A true conservative is never revolutionary. He wants to preserve the best in the past and continue it into the future.

Conservatives take a limited view of what politics can achieve. They believe that the aim of politics or government is to help promote a good life for man in society. But most conservatives doubt that the good life can be brought about mainly by political means.

Conservatives believe that rights are something a person earns, rather than something he is given. They emphasize the performance of duties as the price of rights. Conservatives believe in the desirability of maintaining social classes.

In stressing the desirability of maintining social classes, the conservatives believe that all men have equal rights, but they deny that all are born with equal abilities or to equal wealth, advantages and influence in society.

The name "Conservative" was first used around 1830. It was applied to the descendants of the old British Tory party, and the words "Tory" and "Conservative" are used interchangeably in Great Britain today.

But conservative ideas were expressed as early as the 1700s in the writings and speeches of the British statesman Edmund Burke.

Conservatism arose partly as a reaction to the excesses of the French Revolution and the belief that human nature could become perfect through social change and political revolution. Conservatives argued that social change must be brought about within the framework of traditional ideas and institutions.