Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the important political traditions of the 19th century :

1. Liberals supported the idea of constitutional monarchy based on the universal adult franchise.
2. Radicals were opposed to the concept of private property.
3. Conservatives were opposed to radicals and liberals.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Only 3
Notes: Liberals wanted a nation which tolerated all religions. They wanted to safeguard the rights of individuals against governments. They argued for an elected parliamentary government, rule of law, separation of power and an independent judiciary. However, they were not ‘democrats’. They did not believe in universal adult franchise, that is, the right of every citizen to vote. They felt men of property mainly should have the vote. They also did not want the vote for women. So, statement 1 is incorrect. Radicals wanted a government that was based on the elected majority. Many supported women's suffragette movements. Unlike liberals, they opposed the privileges of great landowners and wealthy factory owners. They were not against the existence of private property but disliked concentration of property in the hands of a few. So, statement 2 is incorrect. Conservatives were opposed to radicals and liberals. Earlier, in the eighteenth century, conservatives had been generally opposed to the ideas of change. After the French Revolution, however, even conservatives had opened their minds to the need for change. By the nineteenth century, they accepted that some change was inevitable but believed that the past had to be respected and change had to be brought through a slow process. So, statement 3 is correct.