Progressive v. Conservative

Merriam-Webster defines "progress" as "a forward or onward movement (as to an objective or to a goal)."

I feel that this definition perfectly highlights the basic decision one must make when aligning with a political ideology -- if one is to be a "progressive," then one will be principally motivated by a desire for changes that push society positively forward. Alternatively, if one is to be a conservative, one is disinterested in pushing forward, presumably because the conservative believes that the past or present is ideal.

But how can the past or present be ideal? Shouldn't we hope for, and work toward, improvement?

This argument is quite simplistic, and on its surface appears to be a strawman. But, at its core, I think this argument has some merit.

(This post, of course, discounts moderates)