The boys do not actually know anything about Ralph, yet knowing that Ralph possesses the conch is a good enough reason for the boys to elect Ralph as their leader. .
Eventually the conch starts to symbolize the desire for power. A rule is established that during assemblies, that only the one holding the conch has the right to speak. Eventually the boys ignore this rule and even fight over the conch. As Piggy is reprimanding the boys for letting to fire spread throughout the whole island he is interrupted many times. Partway through his scolding, Piggy "took off his glasses and made as if to put down the conch; but the sudden motion toward it of most of the older boys changed his mind. He tucked the shell under his arm, and crouched back on a rock" (45). .
Soon the conch symbolizes much more power; it begins to symbolize the foundation of society. One night Jack's tribe raids Ralph's camp to steal Piggy's glasses. Ralph does not understand why Jack's tribe did not take the conch: ""I thought they wanted the conch . . . They didn't take the conch"" (168). Ralph believes that without the conch, his leadership and society cannot exist. Jack confirms Ralph's believe after the conch is shattered. Even though Piggy has just been murdered, Jack excitedly shouts ""See? . . . There isn't a tribe for you any more! The conch is gone"" (180).
The same evening of the raid, Piggy decides to confront Jack about Piggy's stolen glasses. Piggy's plan is to ""carry the conch;" and ""show [Jack] the one thing he hasn't got" (171). Piggy is usually deathly afraid of Jack and how Jack may harm him, yet the conch seems to Piggy the strength, power, and courage to do the daring. .
Towards the end, the conch inevitably symbolizes how fragile power can be. The conch means everything to Ralph and his society. However, the conch is ""exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist"" (181) when Piggy is murdered.