Question

Progressivism was a "response to the problems created by unregulated industrialization, unplanned urbanization, and unrelenting immigration" (Tindall and Shi, America: A Narrative History, 940). Discuss the context, major themes, and achievements of the Progressive Era. Where do we see the legacy of Progressivism today?

Answer 1

Progressivism was a philosophy that arose in the United States during the early 20th century. To a large extent, progressivism was a response to the problems of industrialization that had begun in recent years. Progressivists encouraged the enactment of legislation that addressed problems such as unregulated industrialization, unplanned urbanization, rampant corruption and the growth of corporations. Their work focused on helping the poor and had a strong religious component. The movement achieved policies such as the enactment of child labor laws, the regulation of monopolies and the growth of public education.

The legacy of Progressivism can be seen in many aspects of modern society. This includes social movements that address the needs of the poor (particularly urban class), the sick and common citizens. It can also be seen in movements that focus on the protection of the environment.

Answer 2

There are basically two basic premises for defining progressive intellectuals: first, the modern government must be guided by" science "and not by politics itself; and, second, an industrialized economy must have close supervision and regulation. of the visible hand of the modern administrative state. Power must be concentrated in a bureaucracy of “anointed ones”, capable of leading the nation towards progress, based on science.

The legacy of" progressivism ", therefore, is that of a more and more leaderist, interventionist and bloated state, dominated by the" tyranny of specialists ", who have completely lost touch with the reality of the population.