I am no scholar in politics or political history, however, when I think about the word progressive I do not read the root word progress in the teleological sense (e.g. that as a species we are moving toward some goal, some idealized vision or future for ourselves), or even the industrial/technical sense (i.e. computers make life better).
What I think when I consider the meaning of the word progressive is more cultural and abstract--in the sense that by helping out those that are not of the means to help themselves, fighting for those that have little to no voice of their own, or championing causes benefiting the wider populous, we are progressing those people and ideas forward
This of course relies upon reading the root word progress in it’s verb form rather than in its noun form. The following is The Free Dictionary’s definition of progress:
prog•ress (prgrs, -rs, prgrs)
n.
1. Movement, as toward a goal; advance.
2. Development or growth: students who show progress.
3. Steady improvement, as of a society or civilization: a believer in human progress. See Synonyms at development.
4. A ceremonial journey made by a sovereign through his or her realm.
intr.v. pro•gress (pr-grs) pro•gressed, pro•gress•ing, pro•gress•es
1. To advance; proceed: Work on the new building progressed at a rapid rate.
2. To advance toward a higher or better stage; improve steadily: as medical technology progresses.
3. To increase in scope or severity, as a disease taking an unfavorable course.
Likely the most immediate sense of the word, for most people, is the noun form. With only a cursory look at the etymology of the word progress, it’s rather clear that progress is more often used in noun form than verb form.
Consider how we use the word in daily language:
Are you making any progress?
Progress is going slowly.
We made it only with grueling progress.
What a wonderful musical progression.
Your child is making great progress in this class.
On the other hand, as a verb it used in a very limited way:
The progress made toward preventing a meltdown was substantial.
The car progressed at a given speed for 10 miles.
They made progress in their research.
In each of the cases of the word as a verb, it’s very tightly confined to a single meaning…a moving forward, an advancement of some sort as an action. Whereas the noun form is more empirical, suggesting a movement toward some form of completeness, almost teleological. As a noun, progress seems to suggest a finality or goal, whereas as verb the word suggests movement and continued action.
While some may argue with me over this distinction, the noun form of progress versus the verb form tends toward concrete development, regardless of the positivity of that movement. Whereas, the verb form carries a hint of positivity in it’s connotation, hinting at evolution, improvement, or growth as an action—and there’s the key, the difference, and why I read progress as a verb.
As a verb, progress is not an empirical fact, not a thing, not a fixed concrete notion or element. However, a verb, progress suggests direction, change, work, and movement.
As a verb, progress describes the very actions we, as progressives, devote our time, passion, and energy to everyday.
As progressives we work to positively progress ideas, ideals, individuals through our writing, protesting, lobbying, networking, canvassing, and participation in the contact sport of Democracy.
(Cross posted to greatlakesprogressive.com)