What the heck does progressive mean?

noexes89

In today's Chicago Tribune there is an article by Jonah Goldberg, a good old fashioned conservative, called "A label we can all claim" about how more and more politicians on each side of the aisle are labeling their policies as "progressive." He deduces that it really means big, powerful government.

Soulfire

I highly encourage you to search through American history, around 1890-1913. This is commonly referred to as "The Progressive Era" (which you could search on). It seems to be related to these people now calling themselves "Progressive."

Here's a few links to get you started:
WikiPedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_Era
Digital History http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/modules/progressivism/index.cfm

There's tons more if you search "Progressive era" at Google or something. Good luck.

The progressives represent the people who have combined certain liberal aspects with certain conservative aspects.

noexes89

Oh soulfire, you and your intelligence! : ) If this was a scored debate I'd give you a +5.

Thanks for the links, though. I did realise the reference to the last turn of the century politics (I had US history last semester), but I don't really think that politicians and the columnist are more than making a passing reference to one hundred year old ideas when they talk about progressivism in modern politics. They even call it new progressivism a couple times. But at it's core you're right, it's a weird amalgam of conservative and liberal policies.

HoboPelican

Could it just be hype? Wink

An attempt by everyone to initiate a realignment of the voters? Hey, Democrats, We are progressive Republicans, we arent like the old ones! (Repeat, only switch the position of rep/dems).

Labels are so convenient and are often meaningless. Laughing