Here’s an interesting site where the author breaks it down into simplistic steps. There are some that I wouldn’t agree with on what is conservativism. It might make sense in today’s climate (and that’s what the author is saying), but as a philosopher, conservativism is something different than how it’s being used today.
On the flip side, he also has a list of what is progressivism. Again, not everything on the list I agree with, but it’s a very nice summary on both counts to suggest what the differences are.
Shaun Miller's Ideas 
I’m fine with most of that list. It’s worded to make conservatives sound brutish. That’s okay. I’m a brute, and I’ll break the author’s keyboard and/or arms.
It’s interesting that you think of conservatives as “brutish.” I actually see them as “realistic” or somewhat pragmatic than progressives. I think that’s the main problem with progressives: they’re too idealist. Yes, it’s possible that the world should be a certain way, but it’s hard to be ideal when reality can’t reach it. However, the conservatives seems to idealize their brutishness, as you put it. And they can’t seem to see where it’s going or should go. I guess that’s why it’s kind of lost right now. Progressives are missing the reality; conservatives are missing the ideals. I wish politics would stop with ideology and start being more practical. I guess that’s why we’re both independents.
practical politics… yeah right.