What is a Progressive?

[bendted]

Glen Beck famously substitutes the word Progressive for Democrat , obviously as a slur or dig against Democrats. Also Latka does that in this forum (and we know his angle). So what's the story behind this?

 

[Kulindahr]

It's a toned-down liberal who wants to think he believes in progress (as opposed to Congress).

 

[Orlandude]

It's a political attitude favoring or advocating changes or reform. Progressivism is often viewed in opposition to conservative ideologies. Despite being associated with left-wing politics, the term progressive has been used by groups not particularly left-wing. For about 60 years, the largest conservative party in Canada was The Progressive Conservative Party. Progressives believe in social justice and, as a result, are often in favor of regulating big business...not to be confused with fascism, which is corporatism.

By the way...Glen Beck is a corporatist, among other things.

 

[NineOfClubs]

I look on the term as defining one who doesn't want an immediate communist revolution, but is willing to "progress" in slower steps to the same goal, the elimination of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist utopia on earth. That's what a progressive is...

And many Republicans have been, and are, progressives. Though more are in the Democratic Party.

 

[altlover85]

Whenever I think of a progressive, I think of someone who wants equality for all people in terms of human rights and wants more of a balance of wealth so that the richest 1% don't have most of the income of the country.

 

[jackoroe]

Democrats have eschewed the word "Liberal" because people don't like liberals. It's the kiss of death in politics to admit you are a liberal in most parts of the country. This is not a liberal country. They themselves have adopted the appellation of Progressive.

It's the same old wine in a new bottle.

 

[altlover85]

Democrats have eschewed the word "Liberal" because people don't like liberals. It's the kiss of death in politics to admit you are a liberal in most parts of the country. This is not a liberal country. They themselves have adopted the appellation of Progressive.

It's the same old wine in a new bottle.

I love how you've split people and liberals/Democrats up, as if the two are mutually exclusive.

 

[jackoroe]

^No, there are liberal republicans. They don't call themselves liberal either. They like to think of themselves as "Moderate."

 

[altlover85]

Liberal republicans aren't liberal. They are moderate. You just proved yourself wrong.

 

[laikaNYC]

Progressives believe that the federal government should have a mandate to impose social justice. That means the country's resources should be shared to elevate conditions for the unfortunate. Extremely high taxation to fund these government-run entitlement programs would be absolutely necessary. And not only that, but progressives believe that things like healthcare should be granted with no strings attached. Progressives also embrace unfettered immigration and abortion. From my personal experience in talking with them, they believe few, if any, restrictions should be applied to the two. As far as foreign policy is concerned, progressives generally believe that America is an aggressive bully that has exploited people all over the world for its own benefit.

 

[altlover85]

Progressives believe that the federal government should have a mandate to impose social justice. That means the country's resources should be shared to elevate conditions for the unfortunate. Extremely high taxation to fund these government-run entitlement programs would be absolutely necessary. And not only that, but progressives believe that things like healthcare should be granted with no strings attached. Progressives also embrace unfettered immigration and abortion. From my personal experience in talking with them, they believe few, if any, restrictions should be applied to the two. As far as foreign policy is concerned, progressives generally believe that America is an aggressive bully that has exploited people all over the world for its own benefit.

I agree with most of that post. Thanks for being so eloquent laikaNYC!

 

[Kulindahr]

It's a political attitude favoring or advocating changes or reform. Progressivism is often viewed in opposition to conservative ideologies. Despite being associated with left-wing politics, the term progressive has been used by groups not particularly left-wing. For about 60 years, the largest conservative party in Canada was The Progressive Conservative Party. Progressives believe in social justice and, as a result, are often in favor of regulating big business...not to be confused with fascism, which is corporatism.

So almost anything could claim to be progressive -- they just have to favor whatever they define as social justice. Like, Dobson's FotF could say it's "progressive Christian".

I look on the term as defining one who ... is willing to "progress" in slower steps to the same goal.

Snipping just that, I could be a "progressive Libertarian".

In fact, given a recent exchange where one of our little fraternity here realized that my description of libertarianism approaches Marxism in terms of end result (think 'final cause'), that may not be a joke at all.

Progressives believe that the federal government should have a mandate to impose social justice. That means the country's resources should be shared to elevate conditions for the unfortunate. Extremely high taxation to fund these government-run entitlement programs would be absolutely necessary. And not only that, but progressives believe that things like healthcare should be granted with no strings attached. Progressives also embrace unfettered immigration and abortion. From my personal experience in talking with them, they believe few, if any, restrictions should be applied to the two. As far as foreign policy is concerned, progressives generally believe that America is an aggressive bully that has exploited people all over the world for its own benefit.

In other words, progressives are almost anarcho-libertarian until it comes to wealth -- theoretically.

 

[altlover85]

So almost anything could claim to be progressive -- they just have to favor whatever they define as social justice. Like, Dobson's FotF could say it's "progressive Christian".

I think part of the definition has to do with an opposition to big business as well as social justice endeavors. Therefore, no, I don't think anyone could be progressive.

In other words, progressives are almost anarcho-libertarian until it comes to wealth -- theoretically.

Well since they want the government to have a social mandate, I don't really see that as being anarcho-anything if anarcho means anarchy. Can you explain this a little better, Kulindahr, so I can see where I'm mistaken, if I am indeed mistaken?

 

[Kulindahr]

I think part of the definition has to do with an opposition to big business as well as social justice endeavors. Therefore, no, I don't think anyone could be progressive.



Well since they want the government to have a social mandate, I don't really see that as being anarcho-anything if anarcho means anarchy. Can you explain this a little better, Kulindahr, so I can see where I'm mistaken, if I am indeed mistaken?

From the description, the only places progressives were interested in having rules was about wealth. On immigration, one example given, they're supposedly anarchists.

 

[altlover85]

From the description, the only places progressives were interested in having rules was about wealth. On immigration, one example given, they're supposedly anarchists.

What I agreed with Laika's description about was the few regulations part in terms of immigration and abortion. I didn't see few regulations as being equivalent to anarchy.

 

[bendted]

Progressives believe that the federal government should have a mandate to impose social justice. That means the country's resources should be shared to elevate conditions for the unfortunate. Extremely high taxation to fund these government-run entitlement programs would be absolutely necessary. And not only that, but progressives believe that things like healthcare should be granted with no strings attached. Progressives also embrace unfettered immigration and abortion. From my personal experience in talking with them, they believe few, if any, restrictions should be applied to the two. As far as foreign policy is concerned, progressives generally believe that America is an aggressive bully that has exploited people all over the world for its own benefit.

Thanks. That makes sense now as to why Glen Beck and others use it excusively (in place of Dems).

 

[bendted]

Democrats have eschewed the word "Liberal" because people don't like liberals. It's the kiss of death in politics to admit you are a liberal in most parts of the country. This is not a liberal country. They themselves have adopted the appellation of Progressive.

It's the same old wine in a new bottle.

Liberal is a dirty word, yes, but only because it has been hijacked by the Republicans. I believe in the 1980 campaign Ted Kennedy wouldn't admit to being one when asked (as an example) and of course that did not look good becasue everyone knew he was.

 

[SoulSearcher]

Glen Beck famously substitutes the word Progressive for Democrat , obviously as a slur or dig against Democrats. Also Latka does that in this forum (and we know his angle). So what's the story behind this?

Anyone familiar with progressive movements in Europe would think that Democrats are hardly progressives, they are centrist and even right of center (for European standards). Glen Beck doesn't think so because he is from the Far Right (for European standards).

No progressives would allow the laying off of 15,000 teachers in NY, 22,000 in California and thousands others in other states, while spending billions abroad on wars (on credit).

 

[JB3]

Anyone familiar with progressive movements in Europe would think that Democrats are hardly progressives, they are centrist and even right of center (for European standards). Glen Beck doesn't think so because he is from the Far Right (for European standards).

No progressives would allow the laying off of 15,000 teachers in NY, 22,000 in California and thousands others in other states, while spending billions abroad on wars (on credit).

Considering that STATES and not the federal government pay for education, your point is moot. The states have no control of the billions being spent on the wars, but they ARE in charge of education spending.

 

[JB3]

Liberal republicans aren't liberal. They are moderate. You just proved yourself wrong.

Uh no. You just don't understand the use of the terms.

One can be a liberal republican. They ARE liberal in terms of conservative ideology. In terms of the full spectrum, though, they're moderates.