Friday, June 9, 2006

Liberalism -vs- Progressivism: A Meaningful Distinction?

Am I always updating my thinking on this issue or just spinning my wheels on a trivial problem of labels?
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2 comments:

  1. Your "Liberal versus Progressive" analysis is absolutely excellent.

    You've actually answered some of the questions I've had in my mind concerning the recent actions (or lack of action) of the established liberal leadership.

    I just want you to know I continue to drop by and read your essays, even though I don't always comment. Your work is appreciated.

    the WIZARD, fkap

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  2. David Zweig, A Progressive Approach To Political Labels:

    I believe that "progressive" is a stronger moniker than "liberal" for two reasons: One, it is literally and directly contradictory to "conservative" — "progressive" meaning "forward looking," with its opposite meaning, generally, "resistant to change." Two, I believe that the right has succeeded in making the word "liberal" stand for "morally unrestrained and licentious" and that correcting the record on what "liberal" means is a battle that ranks low on the list of contemporary political priorities.

    Given that Americans have seen the failures of their government — Republicans enriching the wealthy at the expense of other classes, and Democrats standing by, powerless to do anything about it because of a lack of identity and courage — it seems only natural that they would rather elect someone interested in advancing the country rather than spoiling it. After all, in the United States, some words — like "socialist" — are beyond repair.

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