On Progressivism

Progressivism as a philosophy is about improving the human condition. It brings to my mind the old adage, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” In my opinion, the only way to improve the human condition is to improve the conditions wherein a person may act. It is a false progressivism to believe that this requires government coercion. All that government can do toward the progressive goal is to get out of the way. Progressivism should mean “free action” not “free stuff.” Markets have proven far more capable at improving the human condition than any other mechanism. Progressivism which stays true to its principles fits snugly under the voluntaryist umbrella. It’s too bad that progressives are progressivism’s worst enemies. And that’s today’s two cents.