In: Psychology
Compare and contrast the political ideas associated with “Populism” and “Progressivism” during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. What problems did those ideologies address, and what solutions did they propose? In what ways were they similar? In what ways were they different?
Both the concepts Populism and progressivism are linked concepts, however, they are independent of each other technically.
Progressivism emphasizes the need
for social improvements, however, populism seeks to gain the
support of masses.
In populism ideology, there is the improvement of society which has
the objective of meeting the needs of common people, middle class,
and underprivileged people. In contrast, progressivism emphasizes
meeting higher goals such as advancing human culture in a
particular society regardless of what the majority thinks
concerning the idea.
Social change comes from ground to the up instead of imposing it from above in populist ideology. However, social change cannot come from the ground here as the process is too short-lived and chaotic in progressive ideology.
They believed that society should be reformed but they were alarmed concerning the radicalism of populists and they did not believe in bring sweeping changes to the Capitalist system. For example- they were against the direct government control of railroads.
The progressives suggested that the government should play an active role in encouraging people's s welfare. They agreed with certain ideas of populists but they were usually more conservative.
Similarities-
Both movements had a basis in people's dissatisfaction due to the
inability of dealing with daily problems and government
inefficiencies.
Supporters of both the movements emphasized that special control
groups are responsible for controlling the government and people
were not able to exercise this control.
They provided a detailed platform of political reforms such as
secret ballots, women's suffrage, elections of the US.