Conservatism is inherently reactionary, and dependent on there being call for change and what the perceived status quo is. There cannot be a universal conservatism, since the things it depends upon can vary immensely. Islam, the Soviet Union, the US - all have or had their brands of conservatism.

And it is indeed misappropriated far too often, using the banner of conservatism in some form or another to promote extensive change to a former situation which has never actually previously existed. Islamism is an example of that, as is what is promoted in the US by a significant number of politicians calling themselves conservatives.