American Progressivism: A Reader

by Ronald J. Pestritto (Editor), William J. Atto (Editor)

American Progressivism is a one-volume edition of some of the most important essays, speeches, and book excerpts from the leading figures of national Progressivism. It is designed for classroom use, includes an accessible interpretive essay, and introduces each selection with a brief historical and conceptual background. The introductory essay is written with the student in mind, and addresses the important characteristics of Progressive thought and the role of Progressives in the development of the American political tradition. Students of American political thought, American politics, American history, the presidency, Congress, and political parties will find this reader to be an invaluable source for insight into Progressivism.

Genres: Politics, History, American History, Nonfiction, Philosophy, American

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Michelle Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grad school read.

Group of primary sources regarding the Progressive Era. Great for teaching this time period and the people involved in it

[Bjorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

American Progressivism is a consolidation of progressive writings and speeches during the early 1900’s. Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were the primary contributors. The authors are not progressives, and only made very short comments before presenting each essay or speech. If you are expecting a critical analysis of progressivism, you will have to do it yourself while reading their philosophy. You could probably get a general understanding of the progressive point of view by reading just a few essays. After 5 or 10 essays, I felt like I wasn’t learning anything new. I read more than 5 or 10, but I did skim through a lot of the political rhetoric.

What I did enjoy most was the chance to see how much of the progressive agenda has been implemented since the early 1900’s. History has definitely been on the side of Roosevelt and Wilson. As far as I know, the term liberal was never used by the early progressives. That was refreshing, and it verified that calling today’s progressives liberals is a misnomer. Obama is a progressive, he is not a liberal.

Here is probably the best summary of the progressive point of view which distinguishes it from the liberal point of view. This was from a speech Roosevelt gave in 1910.
“… every man holds his property subject to the general right of the community to regulate its use to whatever degree the public welfare may require it. “
In other words, at least so far as a man’s property is concerned, individual rights are subordinate to the public welfare. A liberal would never utter this statement.

Social justice or industrial justice is a constant theme of the early progressives. This is understandable considering the working conditions at the time. I don’t think today’s progressives place as much emphasis on the same issues. Roosevelt and the original progressives were primarily concerned about working conditions and corporate power. These continue to be familiar themes, but you can’t take today’s progressives seriously when they rail against corporate power while bailing out large corporations. Roosevelt had some valid complaints about working conditions that are not even comparable to today’s America.

In addition, democracy and the emphasis on the rule of the majority against the special interest minorities was another primary theme of the essays. Constitutional limits were disparaged and the need for flexibility in interpreting constitutional limits on government is needed. The constitution should be flexible enough to advocate for the rights of the less powerful. The needs of the majority should be given exceptional deference.

Reading this book made me think about how to best compare and contrast today’s progressives with their forbearers. I can summarize the thought of current progressives a little easier than the early progressives because the milieu of the early 1900’s is hard for me to even imagine. Progressives I know today really think that without the progressive political gains over the last century we would still have child labor, dangerous working conditions, squalor, enormous monopolies, and extreme income disparities. There would be no middle class and most citizens would be destined to a life of poverty. I’m skeptical. Increased productivity likely did more to resolve these issues than any progressive program.

Basically progressive believe the following:
1. Free markets need to be regulated in almost every industry or service.
a. Government must regulate, and progressive thinking leaders will prevent regulatory capture.
b. When government regulation fails, it is because of leadership failure.
2. Government knows how to improve the outcomes in the economy.
a. Government can gain any necessary knowledge to guide the economy.
b. Government can use this knowledge effectively.
3. Market failure is a common occurrence in a free market economy.
a. Government must step and provide the government alternative for failed markets (health care, education, alternative energy, etc)
b. Government has the ability to provide products and services which the free market fails to provide effectively.
4. Property rights are not a necessary condition for individual rights.
a. Other rights may take precedence over property rights.
i. The right to food
ii. The right to health care
iii. The right to education
iv. The right to personal choice
5. Social justice and the public welfare take precedence over most individual rights, especially individual property rights.

I have a lot of sympathy with 4.a.iv, but I don’t think personal choice is even possible without property rights. My primary objection is to the progressive ideals specified in item 2. I have an antipathy to government power and skepticism about government’s capability to improve things. Many people accuse me of having a strong affinity for items 1 and 3. But I would never claim unfettered markets produce optimal results. My main belief is that government is incapable of resolving these problems without some kind of reliance on the free market.

Progressives haven’t really changed that much from the times of Roosevelt. I am certain Roosevelt would agree to each of the 5 progressive principles I’ve outlined, but perhaps with a greater emphasis on item 5. Today’s progressives seem to be placing a lot of emphasis on item 2, the item I find most ineffective.

I probably would recommend this book, but I don’t think it is necessary to read every essay. You can get a good understanding of the early progressives by reading 5 or 10 of almost any essay in the book.

[Luke Kruse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grad school reading

[Ernie Borgoyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best summary of the roots of Progressivism I've read.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

“An argument to progress, or to move beyond, the political principles of the American founding. It is an argument to enlarge vastly the scope of national government for the purpose of responding to a set of economic and social conditions which, progressives contend, could not have been envisioned at the founding and for which the founders' limited constitutional government was inadequate. Whereas the founders had posited what they held to be a permanent understanding of just government, based upon a permanent account of human nature, the progressives countered that the ends and scope of government were to be defined anew in each historical epoch. They coupled this perspective of historical contingency with a deep faith in historical progress, suggesting that, due to historical evolution, government was becoming less of a danger to the governed and more capable of solving the great array of problems besetting the human race. ”

The Constitution's limited government and institutional restraints and checks stood in the way of the progressive agenda. Criticism of the Constitution formed the backbone of the entire progressive movement. “The Constitution is old, and was written to deal with circumstances that had been long ago replaced by a whole new set of pressing social issues and economic ills.”

“The regulatory and redistributive aims of the progressive policy agenda were on a collision course with the political theory of the founding.” “The protections for individual liberty and property inhibit the expansion of government.” Frank Goodnow praised political systems in Europe where he explained “ the rights which [an individual] possesses are, it is believed, conferred upon him, not by his Creator, but rather by the society to which he belongs. What they are is to be determined by legislative authority in view of the needs of that society. Social expediency, rather than natural right, is thus to determine the sphere of individual freedom of action.”

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Progressivism is a term that has been drained of a lot of meaning these days, as people use the term in ways that often depart from the classical version, beginning in the latter part of the 19th century and extending into the 20th century. This is an edited work, by Ronald Pestritto and William Atto, with snippets from a variety of Progressives, providing a solid sampling of exemplars of this movement. The editors note the method that they adopted (Page ix): "We have been guided in our selection of texts by a desire to focus largely on the national progressives whose writing and speeches have had an influence in shaping the politics of our own time."

The book is divided into several sections. Among Progressives whose works appear here: Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, public administration scholar Frank Goodnow, Frederick Jackson Turner, Charles Beard, Social Gospel leader Walter Rauschenbusch, John Dewey' and many others.

All in all, a pretty good selection of articles. Some of the selections are probably too short to provide the reader a good sense of the author's work. But, tough choices have to be made if you're editing a book. Too lengthy a set of items means fewer items that would appear and less of a sampling. In the end, a solid introduction to Progressives.

[Gary Sedivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of the words of the 'big brains', the founders of Progressivism in America. The progressive movement, started mostly by Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, is foundation of most of the liberal left political thought throughout the world. This includes the European liberals, as well as the socialist movements.
It is startling to read what Wilson and others, say about the citizens of the United States; their disdain for the U.S. Constitution, and their desire for power.
Note: it will make your eyes bleed to pound through the logic of some of these people. It will also scare you.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. I have to admit though, from about half way through, I just couldn't take it anymore. I skimmed. Useful history of the progressive movement in America, dethrones some of our heroes very effectively, and explains Social Christianity. Now I understand why so many people confuse the desire to do good or choosing to do good in the way we see fit, and giving the government our money and trusting them to do good with it.

[Steven Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty ambitious read, I pick it up from time to time. It really breaks down the shift in perception of the role of the Federal Government and the ascension of the President as an advocate for the people, which the Founders never intended. This book tells of how Liberals and their Progressive agenda set the country up for the decline that happened after World War 2.

[Brandon Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a selection of primary sources on progressivism along with neutral explanation. It was very informative. It's amazing that a political movement could think that everything that in reality is bad, is actually good. I didn't read all the speeches, but got the idea of things.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative, many original sources. Great book for those interested in American history and polotics.

[Seabean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enlightening...

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Pestritto's writing and seek him out as an American politics author. This book gives an excellent "primer" as to the history behind the American Progressive movement.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

History behind the American Progressivism. Interesting and informative.

[Shannon Beaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I get it; the birth of the progressive movement and what it's become in the Democrat Party; Saul Alinsky had it down when his turn came to impact academically.