Progressivism

Progressivism is a political philosophy and a reform movement. It seeks to improve the human condition through social and political changes. Adherents of this philosophy work to spread these ideas to societies across the globe. While many different ideologies use the term, most progressives share common goals. They often critique unregulated capitalism and its potential for inequality. They also call for an active democratic government to protect human rights. This government should promote cultural development and act as a check on corporate monopolies.

The mechanism of progressivism involves using government and social action to fix systemic issues. Progressives believe that problems like poverty, greed, and racism can be addressed through specific interventions. These interventions often include providing better education and creating safer environments. They also aim to build more efficient workplaces. By regulating the economy, progressives hope to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. This approach uses the power of the state to balance the influence of large, uncontrolled corporations. Some branches even focus on techno-progressivism, which looks at how technology can drive social advancement.

Progressivism is not a single, unified group, but it includes several distinct types. Social liberalism is a left-leaning form of liberalism influenced by the ideas of John Stuart Mill. He viewed humans as "progressive beings." There is also economic progressivism, which contains various ideological branches. This can include Christian democracy or conservative-leaning communitarian movements. In France, a form known as radicalism emerged to fill the space between social revolution and conservative politics. This radicalism emphasized humanism, republicanism, and anti-clericalism.

The history of these ideas began during the Age of Enlightenment. German philosopher Immanuel Kant defined progress as a movement away from barbarism toward civilization.

During the 18th century, the Marquis de Condorcet predicted that political progress would lead to the end of slavery. He also hoped for higher literacy rates, less sex inequality, and the decline of poverty. In the 19th century, classical liberals promoted modernization to remove obstacles to free markets. However, by the late 1800s, many felt that unregulated capitalism was actually stifling progress. They saw intense conflict between workers and capitalists as a major problem.

In the United States, the Progressive Era became a major political force between 1890 and 1920. This movement was an intellectual rebellion against the strict constitutionalism of the Founding Fathers. Progressives in this era were often college-educated people living in cities. They rejected social Darwinism, which suggested that social inequality was natural. Instead, they believed the government should intervene to fix social ills. During the 1912 presidential election, all three major candidates claimed to be progressives. President Theodore Roosevelt, a member of the Republican Party, believed that progressivism and conservatism could work together.

The 20th century saw the expansion of progressive ideas through major government programs. During the 1930s to the 1970s, many nations accepted Keynesianism, which supports state intervention in the economy. In the United States, the New Deal became a primary example of this progressive consensus. This era provided the foundation for later programs, such as the Great Society under Lyndon Johnson. In response to the rise of neoliberalism in the 1970s and 1980s, some movements adopted the "Third Way." This approach attempted to balance progressive goals with the role of a market economy. Even moderate Republican presidents like Dwight D. Eisenhower worked to preserve some of these progressive structures.

In the 21st century, progressivism has become highly organized on an international scale. The Progressive Alliance was founded in Leipzig, Germany, on May 22, 2013. It serves as a network for social democratic and labor movements worldwide.

Another group, Progressive International, launched in May 2020. This organization was formed to combat the rise of authoritarian nationalism and "disaster capitalism." It was supported by a large group of 40 advisors, including various global leaders and thinkers. In the United Kingdom, progressivism remains diverse, ranging from the environmental focus of the Green Party to the work of the Fabian Society.