There is much confusion in political discussion today about who or what can be classified as a "progressive". Glenn Beck daily demonizes progressives as anti-American, seeking to destroy the very foundations of our country, comparing them to Nazis, Communists, and Stalinists. How could someone think there's any good reason to make such comparisons? And what is the relationship between liberals (last decade's scourge of the right-wing) and progressives? Is there a difference? Or are progressives simply liberals with a shiny new name?
Perhaps one of the most common reasons there is such confusion over progressivism is because it is often defined in too simple of terms that don't match up to the real world. A progressive, state many, is someone who wants change. Yes, but what kind of change? Glenn Beck tells his followers that progressives want to change things by shaking the very foundations of American goodness, turning all that we know and hold dear on its head—destroying the country. That's not exactly the kind of change many people would want to be associated with. Moreover, if someone is unhappy with government being "too liberal" and wants to recreate it in their conservative mold, wouldn't that make them a progressive by this definition of someone who wants change? A more accurate definition, we'll see, is a little more specific.
Here is my own attempt at a working definition:
Progressivism is the belief that government can and should be used as a tool of the People to increase their standard of living and quality of life.
The "progress" in progressivism is movement toward maximizing the standard of living and quality of life for all citizens. A policy which helps the country move in such a direction is a progressive one.
Progressivism means populism, reform, optimism, pragmatism, and humanitarianism. It is:
1.)Populist in its outlook
2.)Reformative in its governmental, social, and economic policy
3.)Optimistic in its vision
4.)Pragmatic in its practice
5.)Humanitarian in its ethic
The goal of progressivism is not a perfect society but a more perfect one; not a completely equal society but a more equal one; not a perfectly just society but a more just one; not a completely peaceful society but a more peaceful one. But in all things, progressivism maintains the belief that a better society is always possible.
The opposite of progressivism is not conservatism. The opposite of progressivism is elitism, social darwinism, and anarchy.
While both modern american liberalism and progressivism have their roots in classical liberalism, modern liberalism tends to lack the emphasis on populism, reform, and pragmatism which typifies progressivism. For example, while a liberal solution to economic inequality might be a welfare check with no strings attached, a more progressive policy is a strong public education program so that the poor can be lifted out of poverty. We see that liberalism proposes a distributive economic ethic which only reinforces the prevailing socio-economic structure, while progressivism supports a reformative and transformative economic ethic which changes the socio-economic system from the inside-out.
"Liberal elitism" is not a contradiction in terms while "progressive elitism" would be. This reveals the core populist nature of progressivism as a tool of the People to benefit their own lives. While a politician might use progressive rhetoric, if that politician believes at heart in the rule of a powerful elite at the expense of the common man, he or she is no progressive.
It's often quite useful to understand a term by defining what it is not. Progressivism is not:
1.)Support for or belief in unlimited government taxation, spending, and expansion. The first
modern progressives of the twentieth century were fiscal conservatives who proposed some of the first governmental budgets and efficiency standards. Progressives today also call for balanced budgets, speak out against government abuse and waste, and support fair, non-excessive taxation.
2.)Anti-Second Amendment. While some progressives do support stricter limitations on gun ownership, many do not and in fact see it as an issue of personal liberty just like self-described conservatives do.
3.)Anti-religion. Many progressives are traditionally religious. All progressives, however, believe in the separation of church and state. This protects the right of all people to worship and belief as they choose, without coercion from the government. Progressives also strongly support the teaching of science in public schools and support government-funded scientific research. This does not mean that progressives are anti-religion, just pro-science.
4.)Environmental extremism. The focus for progressives is always on the well-being of people—human beings. Clean air, clean water, and unspoiled wilderness are desirable because having them leads to healthier, happier lives for our country's citizens. While many progressives may believe that species and ecosystems have an inherent right to self-existence, it is the former argument which is a strictly progressive one.
5.)Anti-military and anti-war. A government-organized and funded military is often a necessary safeguard for the freedom and physical safety of a nation's people. War is sometimes necessary to support the greater good. Progressives are often critical of war, however, because it too frequently profits a small number of defense firms and dynasties at the expense of countless lives and suffering. As such, progressives tend to emphasize "walking softly" through the use of diplomacy rather than "using a big stick". While progressivism isn't inherently pacifistic, there are many progressives who would be described as pacifists.
6.)Anti-capitalism and anti-business. American progressives support a healthy free enterprise and private property rights. Progressives, however, do believe that in order for businesses and the citizens they effect to be healthy, they must be regulated to some extent. Good government, acting as the watchdog of the people, has a proper role to play in passing laws regarding some aspects of capitalism. An unregulated capitalism always results in monopolies, less consumer power, and excessive harm to society and nature. Progressive regulatory policies help to ensure a truly competitive marketplace that doesn't egregiously harm citizens.
7.)Communism or Socialism. While the result of progressive policies is a more equal society in terms of economics and wealth, no american progressive policy could result in the complete economic equality of everyone, nor should it. Capitalism allows for some disparities in wealth. It is when those disparities become so extreme that the wealthy continually profit at the expense of the majority that progressives have a problem with and it is this situation that their economic policies seek to address.
8.)Revolutionism. The "progress" in progressivism rightly implies
gradual step-by-step change. Progressives believe in beneficial policies and transformation resulting from a fair, even-keeled, and time-tested political process, not by violent or overnight revolutions.
9.)The opposite of conservative. Traditional american conservatism—just like conservatism in other countries—has always agreed that government has a role to play in creating better lives for citizens. Traditional conservatives differ from progressives in how much government they believe is beneficial before becoming a hinderance to personal well-being. Conservatives believe in a more limited government than do progressives—but both believe having government is preferable to having no government. This contrasts fairly starkly with some on the "extreme right" today who argue that government is inherently harmful or undesirable and that "government is the problem". This attitude makes such people not conservatives but anarchists by another name.
With a working definition in place, it becomes possible for us to determine what is or is not a progressive idea or policy and who is a true progressive politician. Moreover, framing progressivism in such a way can help the progressive movement to grow by attracting new faces and new voices for the cause. And in so growing will this country and its people progress, being embettered and approaching a more perfect union.