• A conservative government survives essentially by dampening expectations and subduing hopes. Conservatism is basically pessimistic, reformism is basically optimistic.

    Gough Whitlam: A conservative government survives essentially by dampening expectations and subduing hopes. Conservatism is basically pessimistic, reformism is basically optimistic.
    "The Whitlam Government, 1972-1975". Book by Gough Whitlam, 1985.