Progressivism Analysis Essay (Essay Sample)

Progressivism
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Progressivism
Progressivism is a political philosophy that supports social reform by promoting human welfare through economic development and social organization. Classical liberalism focuses on creating self-regulation or freedom without the government's interference. Comparatively, progressivism relies on the government's involvement in human welfare. Progressivism challenged classical liberalism, as illustrated by two examples. The first example involves human rights, where classical liberalism identifies them as individual control to pursue their happiness, but progressiveness portrays them as universal laws concerned with all human beings' rights and freedom. The second example of how progressivism challenged classical liberalism involves free markets, where classical liberalists advocated complete control over production through self-regulation, but progressivism advocated for government regulation over the economic market, including competitors and consumers.
The grassroots of progressivism arose in the 19th century after social issues emerged from the western world due to industrialization. Industrialization saw an increase in production rates and increased business owners' net worth. However, most laborers and working-class individuals received poor wages, inequality in laws such as women's voting rights, long labor hours, and poor working conditions. Progressivism was successful in establishing women's voting rights and the formation of labor unions advocating for laborers' appropriate working conditions and sufficient labor hours (Nichols, 2020). However, progressivism was not successful in establishing human welfare amongst all races, including African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian immigrants, for it was only limited to advocating for white individuals' needs.
President Theodore Roosevelt's partake of progressive activism challenged the current system during that era, leading to his active participation in championing domestic policies. These domestic policies form part of his progressive ideologies, including regulating railroads and consumer protection. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) reported numerous unfairness related to the railway industry, which primarily affected regular citizens because it was controlled by the commercial, technological, and political powers associated with the infrastructure (Roberts, 2017). President Theodore Roosevelt later regulated this railway industry, giving the government control over its operations to limit the unfair reports associated with the business. Consumer protection was characterized by the president's order that all foods and drugs be inspected under the Pure Food and Drug Act to limit false labeling during manufacturing, selling, and shipping.
Relatively, president Wilson became a reluctant progressive based on his remarks about disliking politics, his procrastination tendency, and his character that always prompted his conflict avoidance. The president desired global peace, lim