Key Differences Between Progressive and Liberal; how "Liberal" Thinking Can be Part of the Problem

[depakid]

As a progressive, I'm often asked if there is a real difference between progressivism and liberalism, or if progressivism is merely a nicer-sounding term for the less popular L-word.

It's a fair question, considering that Democratic politicians regularly substitute "progressive" for "liberal" in news releases and speeches. Predictably, Republicans call their opponents' linguistic shift a craven branding maneuver, and frankly, they're right: Most Democrats make no distinction between the two words.

However, that doesn't mean the ideologies are synonymous. In fact, if the last decade of economic policy proves anything, it is that even as the word "progressive" is now ubiquitous, a perverted form of liberalism has almost completely snuffed out genuine progressivism.

Some background: Economic liberalism has typically focused on using the government's treasury as a means to ends, whether those ends are better healthcare (Medicare/Medicaid), stronger job growth (tax credits) or more robust export businesses (corporate subsidies). The idea is that taxpayer dollars can help individuals afford bare necessities and entice institutions to support the common good.

Economic progressivism, by contrast, has historically trumpeted the government fiat as the best instrument of social change -- think food safety, minimum wage and labor laws, and also post-Depression financial rules and enforcement agencies. Progressivism's central theory is that government, as the nation's supreme authority, can set parameters channeling capitalism's profit motive into societal priorities -- and preventing that profit motive from spinning out of control.

Looked at this way, liberalism and progressivism once operated in tandem. But regardless of which of the two economic ideologies you particularly favor (if either), three of the recent epoch's most far-reaching initiatives make clear the former now dominates both parties.

It started in 2003 with Republicans' Medicare drug benefit. Rather than go the progressive route -- imposing price controls, permitting government to negotiate lower bulk prices or letting wholesalers buy drugs at cheaper foreign prices -- the bill hinged on taxpayer money. Essentially, the government gave $1.2 trillion to the pharmaceutical industry in exchange for the industry providing medicines to seniors.

his became the bank bailout's model.

More: http://www.alternet.org/story/146207/the_key_differences_between_progressive_and_liberal%2C_and_how_%22liberal%22_thinking_can_be_part_of_the_problem

[truedelphi]

1. What are the differences between the liberals and

The Progressives?

Well there are more Progressives than Liberals - Pew survey stated that only 32% of all Americans thought of themselves as Democratic voters, while 28% saw themselves as Repugs.

The rest - a majority with 40% of the American Vote, is probably pretty nearly all Progressives.

But the "Liberals" (if you mean DLC by the term) get to control the discussion.

Which is the case, as they are sleeping with the Corporatist Elite, and so have access to money and proper media exposure.

[paulsby]

6. your math is way off

astoundingly so

but you use the word "probably" lol.

please provide evidence that 40% of the american vote is "probably pretty nearly all progressives"

and again, nice language. "probably pretty nearly all"

[truedelphi]

14. I have been using

"probably petty much" progressive as I am awaiting a reply from people at Pew survey org as to what it all means.


I have heard several people on Thom Hartmann and Rachel Maddow say that the progressive movement is a solid 16% of America.

However when you consider that no matter how the question is asked, some 67 to 76 percent of all Americans want Universal Single Payer Health Care, and that at least 55 percent of Americans are firm believers that a woman and a doctor know what is best for the woman's body, with regards to reproduction, (again no matter how the question is asked), then I have to wonder as to why people use "16 percent.".

[BrklynLiberal]

2. I am happy to know that I am a Progressive.

Would this apply to social change as well.. e.g. Anti-discrimination laws.

[ShortnFiery]

12. Gee, I like the word "liberal" but economically it means "neo-liberal."

How damn confusing. Yes, best to use the word Progressive as a descriptor. :shrug:

[inna]

3. Interesting. KR, marked for further reading.

[FiveGoodMen]

4. What this site needed was more bashing of the word liberal.

Can't always leave that to the GOP!

[DCKit]

5. Read the article again.

I, too, have been misidentifying myself for too long and still have to learn to use the term as easily as I ever did "Liberal".

[FiveGoodMen]

7. What gives the article the right to redefine a word?

[DCKit]

9. People might assume you're a (R) if you run around calling yourself something you're not.

But if you're happy with your definition and can't see how the term "Progressive" might apply, maybe you're not.

So sorry.

[FiveGoodMen]

10. The dictionary defines words.

By whose authority do you presume to override it?

lib·er·al   

–adjective

1.favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

2.(often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.

3.of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.

4.favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.

5.favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.

6.of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.

7.free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.

8.open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.

9.characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.

10.given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.

11.not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.

12.of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.

13.of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.

–noun

14.a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion.

15.(often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, esp. of the Liberal party in Great Britain.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Using his definitions (and they are highly arguable), he's missed a lot of the health care bill

He claims "But save for a few fairly weak consumer protections, the final bill was stripped of most major progressive provisions".

Not at all - the requirements that insurance companies cannot exclude people with pre-existing conditions, and that premiums can only vary according to a few strict government definitions, and that a minimum percentage of premiums must go to the actual healthcare rather than administration or profit, fit his definition of 'progressivism' exactly - "government, as the nation's supreme authority, can set parameters channeling capitalism's profit motive into societal priorities -- and preventing that profit motive from spinning out of control".

His definition of 'economic liberalism' is damn weird, though - normally, when 'liberalism' is paired with 'economic', it refers to 'classical liberalism' - the original 'laissez-faire':

Economic liberalism refers to the maximum role of markets and competitive forces in an economy.

The state's role is limited to the establishment of the necessary framework in which markets can operate and to the provision of services which private enterprise cannot provide.

http://www.economyprofessor.com/economictheories/economic-liberalism.php

or

In political terms, economic liberals proclaim their belief in individual freedom and free markets; they support a reduction in the role of the state, particularly in the spheres of economic management and social welfare. The term is often used interchangeably with classical liberalism and that entry should be referred to for a summary of the economic liberal position.

The term ‘classical liberalism’ itself tends to be associated with nineteenth-century approaches to political and economic questions, such as that of the Manchester School. The label ‘economic liberal’ has been more commonly used in modern times, in particular to contrast such individuals’ views with those of social liberals, who are more willing to accept the case for state intervention as a means of promoting freedom. Economic liberals point to the dangers inherent in such state action, including the growth in bureaucratic power, the threat to civil liberties from an overweening state, and the potential reduction in economic competitiveness.

Although the British Liberal Party/Liberal Democrats are in general viewed as a social liberal party, there have been and remain some tensions between social and economic liberals, explored in the entry on social liberalism. That entry also explores why continental European liberal parties tend to be more likely to identify themselves as ‘economic liberal’, although several European countries possess both social liberal and economic liberal parties.

http://www.libdemvoice.org/dlt-economic-liberalism-13570.html

[amborin]

11. recommended

[The Wizard]

13. Liberal is Republican code for

Jew or Jewish sympathizer.
Patriot is Republican code for bigot.