"a consistent defining characteristic of conservative thought over time is the belief that some people are better at ruling than others, thus that the best way to run a government and society is to put those superior people in power." was in a recent article I boosted; it is based on some academic research into conservatism.
This explains a lot about how conservatives can believe salvation lies in the hands of the rich, who have proven themselves superior by acquiring more money.
...
... In a capitalist society, the goal is the acquisition of money. You win the game (of Monopoly) by getting all the money and leaving your opponents destitute.
It doesn't take to big of a stretch of the imagination to see this in the same light as the divine right of kings.
...or to extend it to religions based on one or more superior beings...
Capitalism, empire, colonialism, and religious doctrine sums up conservative belief rather nicely.
