Economics with Dr. Hendrickson: Progressivism vs. Progress

Progressivism has become the enemy of progress.

By Scott Cross

In the latest episode of Economics with Dr. Hendrickson, the former economics professor lectured on the contrasts between progressivism and progress. Dr. Hendrickson holds that both the concepts of progressivism and progress are great ideals that have been cherished by America since her founding. However, political parties have captured both of these ideals and turned them into “-isms” and ideologies. They have twisted progressivism, he says, so that it now stands in the way of progress, stunting the growth of the economy and community instead of helping them blossom more fully.

“Different”

Hendrickson points to various progressivist writings in addition to his own experience to indicate that many on the left see themselves as different. They seem to hold that they are part of a knowledgeable elite who know how to solve the world’s problems. Since they already have the solutions, all the progressivists need to do is get some kind of control in the government structure. And then they are able to usher in the new, better utopia for everyone else who makes up the ignorant masses.

It is this mindset, Dr. Hendrickson laments, that permeates the entire progressivist movement: “What seems to be the primary motivation for progressivists is a desire for power.” They abide by an almost religious belief that, if the right people get in power, they can establish an ideal environment, complete equality, and perfect whatever other social issues the progressivist movement has latched onto at that particular moment.

This all is not to say that progressivism is completely rotten, Dr. Hendrickson hastens to add. The American founding itself was largely a progressive endeavor where a unique form of government was established with a constitution that was supposed to limit government power rather than allow it to expand. These limitations on government authority promoted freedom and private property. The result of this freedom and property was opportunity, prosperity, and flourishing. In a word, progress. In this way, early American “progressivism” actually opened up the door to progress rather than stifling it in a sea of government. (LISTEN MORE: Economics with Dr. Hendrickson: Should the Government Help the Poor?)

Modern Progressives

Modern progressivists do not follow this line of thinking. They do not see government as a potential danger that needs restraint. Rather, they expect the government to help the people of the nation as much as possible economically. But this reasoning is flawed. The government has no actual wealth of its own. It offers no service on the market to buy so the only wealth the government has is what it takes through taxation. Thus, progressivists think that people do not know how to use their own money properly and, instead, the government should simply tax it away and use it the way the government authorities deem acceptable.

It is this thinking that has led to the stifling of progress by progressivism in the modern era. The contemporary progressivist movement has been tainted by the belief that government control is the only answer. This course needs to be reversed before progressivism can once again be a catalyst for progress.

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Interested in hearing more from Dr. Hendrickson? You can find other lectures in the series Economics with Dr. Hendrickson here.