Why does greater observance lead to political conservatism? My politics have moved quite a bit to the left as I have become more observant and learn about the Torah’s mandates to take care of those who are less well off and its stringent regulation of business activity. Not for nothing did Chazal mandate that prospective converts be taught not Shabat, kashrut, and taharat hamishpacha but leket, peah, shich’chah and maaser oni, and also to place on communal authorities the reponsibility for public works, education, and care of the less well off.
It should also be noted that Rambam in Hilchot Deot says we have to follow the middle path in all things except arrogance.