Full transparency, to express my bias, I lean more towards the progressive political ideology than any others, including that of Liberal or Democrat, however, I still do not feel I fully understand what it means to be of such persuasion. So, let's examine it together.
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To begin, there are many differing views of what Progressivism means but simply put a progressive is " someone who wants to see more economic and social equality - and hopes to see more gains in feminism and gay rights. They're also supportive of social programs directed by the state - and they'd like social movements have more power in the US" (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35467470
An ideology that finds its roots in the Age of Enlightenment (17th Century Europe), progressivism believes itself to be progressing the human condition forward through reforms meant to increase personal liberty towards the positive. It is important to note that social liberalism, social democracy, and democratic socialism all view themselves as progressive.
Enlightenment German Philosopher Immanuel Kant defined progress as one that seeks to move humanity away from barbarism towards a civilized world. Marquis de Condorcet, an 18th century philosopher and political scientist, believed that progressivism would lead to the abolishment of slavery, the rise in literacy and an educated mind, the lessened impact of sexual inequality and poverty, and high reforms in the prison systems. During the 19th and 20th century, the 'classic liberals' added the need to modernize the economy and the removal of all hindrance to free markets and movements of citizens.
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During the 1890s and the 1920s, the United States witnessed the rise of its first wave of progressivism, with their focus on issues surrounding industralization, urbanization, immigration, political corruption, and sought to weaken the impact of corrupt corruptions who held a monolopy over the United States market. In addition, progressive reformers sought to strengthen the influence of education, business regulation, environmental protection. Progressives fought to establish direct primary elections, election of senators (rather than by legislature), initiatives, and referendums. The rise of the woman's suffrage movement also found its highest impact within this movement. As well, some progressives saw The Prohibition as a means of eliminating political corruption and the improvement of social conditions.
Today's progressives harken their influence to be of the Roosevelts, both Theodore and Franklin, especially highlighting the impact of FDR's New Deal, with its focus on the "3 R's": relief for the unemployed and poor, recovery of the economy back to normal levels (post Great Depression), and reforms of the financial system to prevent another depression. In the wake of the attacks on 9/11/01, modern day progressives found their efforts on the rise, seeing the Afghanistan and Iraq wars as government over-reach and saw these wars as greatly leading to the Great Recession of 2007-2008 (worse economic downslide since the Great Depression), which led to the Occupy Movements in 2011 against the impact of Wall Street's influence of wealth disparity. Modern day Progressives, such as Bernie Sanders, are against the usage of Political Action Committees (PACS) that influence federal elections. President Obama's "Affordable Care Act" widened access to healthcare which highlights the belief that progressives see health care as a right. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez introduced the Green New Deal which highlights the need environmental protection and to fight against climate change. The rise of such movements as "MeToo" and Black Lives Matter are rooted in the modern day progressive ideology.
