§ Cell № 57 of 81
Row 7, Col 3
Economic: Social
Governance: Democratic
Coords: X-2 · Y-2
Economic: Social
Governance: Democratic
Coords: X-2 · Y-2
Descriptor
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Progressive
“Reform institutions toward justice.”
Exemplar ↓
§ 01
The Idea
What Progressive actually means.
Progressivism seeks economic and political reforms to combat inequality, corruption, and social injustice through democratic governance.
Barack Obama's presidency (2009–2017) reflected Progressivism through policies such as the Affordable Care Act, financial regulations (Dodd-Frank), and climate initiatives. His administration balanced progressive reforms with pragmatic governance, respecting democratic institutions while expanding government intervention in healthcare, financial oversight, and consumer protections.
§ 02 · Tenets
Core commitments.
01
Use the state to expand opportunity and rights.
02
Reform — not revolution — as method.
03
Strong regulation of corporate power.
04
Investment in public goods and infrastructure.
05
Civil rights as ongoing project.
§ 03 · Position
Where it sits on the grid.
Economic axis — X-2
SOCIAL
Full collectivisationUnfettered markets
Governance axis — Y-2
DEMOCRATIC
Total controlNo state at all
§ 04 · Reading List
Canon & critics.
§ Canon
- The Promise of American LifeHerbert Croly1909 · ~470 pp
- The Other AmericaMichael Harrington1962 · ~190 pp
§ Critics
- Liberal FascismJonah Goldberg2008 · ~480 pp
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