CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE. "PROGESSIVE"
This is probably the single most important term we need to understand today regarding the political directions people are seeking to take us to.

WIKIPEDIA
"Progressivism is a political attitude favoring or advocating changes or reform. Progressivism is often viewed in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies. The Progressive Movement began in cities with settlement workers and reformers who were interested in helping those facing harsh conditions at home and at work. The reformers spoke out about the need for laws regulating tenement housing and child labor. They also called for better working conditions for women."

AMERICA
Despite being associated with left-wing politics in the United States, the term "progressive" has occasionally been used by groups not particularly left-wing. The Progressive Democrats in the Republic of Ireland took the name "progressivism" despite being considered centre-right or classical liberal.

AUSTRALIA
In the past few years in Australia, the term "progressive" has been used to refer to what used to be called "The Third Way." The term is popular in Australia, and is often used in place of "social liberal." The term "liberalism" has become associated with free markets and small government; in other words "classical liberalism." Progressivism, however, means in part advocating a larger role for government, but one that does not involve central planning.

DISCUSSION. There are some interesting tends occuring now related to this concept, and we can benefit from an in depth discussion of them

What is 'your' understanding of 'progressivism'?

Its some weird muddle headed septic term that has no real relevance to us in Australia. Indeed I doubt it has any real relevance to the seppos either. Better to stick to the old pinkos and fascists. Much easier to understand and much more reflective of reality.

ALGOREis RICH&FAT, my understanding of ‘progressivism’ is that it is just another neologism or half-word that is wide open to interpretation and abuse. Like so many others, liberalism, economic rationalism, and even sustainability and growth for example, its meaning can vary enormously and be, either deliberately or inadvertently, very misleading indeed.

It is all very well to define the word, but what we really need to know is the exact context and meaning in every case that it is used, as it is likely to vary all over the place. There is not a lot of value in simply understanding the formal definition.

I don’t think that we can avoid using words like sustainability and growth, but I reckon we should all steer clear of words like progressivism.

What I find more interesting about this thread is the one-word nonsensical title. Surely whatever is causing this glitch can be easily fixed. This problem has been around ever since Graham Young introduced general threads to OLO some years back! It is not a good look!

Luddy.... the title was submitted as

"The Progressive Movement..what is it?"

I don't have the foggiest idea how come it became shortened.....*confused look*

We have a progressive movement in Australia. CJ and possibly Pericles.. and a few others.. maybe Foxy ? there are cetain characteristics which you can identify from comments made.

But the TRIGGER for this discussion was partly related to Australia, and partly the USA.

Please have a look at this... and see what you think.

http://www.watchglennbeck.com/

The vid (if you see watch today) is on the Black Panther movement where they stationed a couple of thugs at a polling booth to intimidate white voters. These blokes were charged.. but.. while they committed terrible outrages against freedom.. the charges were dropped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BemSmTNDxU

This is mind numbingly amazing. It might be worth noting that the first 'black' Attourney General of the USA does not think this case is 'big' enough for them to pursue. (why the charges were dropped)

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/29/career-lawyers-overruled-on-voting-case/

GUILTY AS CHARGED?
The career Justice lawyers were on the verge of securing sanctions against the men earlier this month when their superiors ordered them to reverse course, according to interviews and documents. The court had already entered a default judgment against the men on April 20.

BUT WAIT....
spokesman Alejandro Miyar said. "Claims were dismissed against the other defendants based on a careful assessment of the facts and the law."

THE "PROGRESSIVE" AGENDA is to dismantle what it see's as 'white power structures'. (by any means)

Example.
http://www.acrawsa.org.au/ejournalFiles/Volume%204,%20Number%202,%202008/O%27Connell%20Pinned%20Like%20a%20Butterfly%20FINAL.pdf

Welcome to your (white) future.

RICH AL, you reckon CJ is a progressive !! ?? !! ?? !!

Wow……that reaaaally floored me !! (:>|

(struggling now to pick myself up off the floor and find my balance, seeing stars and funny animals in the sky. Oh yes, they are little porkers with wings!)

So um, what definition of ‘progressive’ you are using here??

Oh hold on:

<< THE "PROGRESSIVE" AGENDA is to dismantle what it see's as 'white power structures'. (by any means) >>

Yeah ok, I think I’m beginning to understand (can’t view the vids right now. That will have to wait til I get onto a different system this evening).

Ludwig, I agree with you that it's a pretty meaningless neologism. To Boaz, it seems to mean any political position to the left of his - which means just about any political position :)

Except, apparently, yours - which is a bit of a worry.

I'd be concerned if a raving fundamentalist wingnut *didn't* regard me as "progressive".