Classic American republicanism
Classic American republicanism is a liberal philosophy upon which the United States of America's constitution is based. The liberal philosophy states that people have unalienable liberties and human rights. The philosophy is built on the need to eradicate the supremacy created by an aristocracy, dictatorship, and hereditary power (Brand 107). As a result, liberal philosophy asserts that people must be able to perform their democratic and civil duties freely by instilling an ethos that despises corruption and does not accept aristocracy within the population.
Progressivism
Progressivism is founded mainly on the changes experienced by society during the industrialization period. Progressivism is primarily driven by the need to bring about civilization and weed out the forms of barbarism that could be evident within a country (Martin 116). This paper discusses the differences that are existent between traditional American republicanism and progressivism political ideologies.
Differences between American republicanism and progressivism
Traditional American republicanism is based on the set of values that are held by the citizens of a republic. The values are enshrined in the rule of law. Therefore, those who subscribe to such political ideology do not recognize that the personal whim of an individual can control the republic other than the rule of law that is agreeable to the majority, if not all, through the constitution. Notably, the founding fathers of the United States of America are known to have subscribed to the political ideology of traditional American republicanism with the objective of entrenching a democratic process in the governance system of the United States of America (Brand 109).
Progressivism as a political ideology
On the other hand, progressivism is a political ideology that is founded on the need to entrench social progress within the society. The ideology further asserts that advancements need to be often done about the economic development of a country’s social organization of the people, science, and technology. Some of the societal goals that are often pursued by the progressivism subscribers include the reduction in poverty rates, the increase in the literacy rates amongst the population, elimination of oppression to the people including slavery and reform of forms of punishment that is granted to the lawbreakers. The ideology of progressivism is mostly anchored on the argument by John Stuart Mill that human beings are progressive, thus, the need to have a progressive system of managing the political affairs of the human race (Martin 122). The progressive political ideology often asserts that quality education, having a workplace that is efficient and having a safe environment to live and work are the three pillars that could exterminate the social ills that are witnessed in the society. Some of the social ills that the progressivism subscribers address include warfare amongst the various economic classes, racism, violence, greed, and poverty.
Comparison between American republicanism and progressivism
Notably, the traditional American republicanism and the progressivism are competing for a political ideology with each fitting a given aspect of the political realm. Notably, the traditional American republicanism advocate for the equal rights and representation for all the members of the society (Martin 124). The rights are enshrined in the rule of law which is enshrined in the constitution. Additionally, the representation can be realized through the right of the people to vote in their leaders without depending on the hereditary system of leadership.
Advantages and disadvantages
The traditional American republicanism had the view that rights were given nature with the state having the responsibility of protecting such rights. However, it is important to note that the American republicanism ideology could give room to the abuse of tyranny. The ideology is premised on the belief that the majority has their way and the minority should as well be heard (Brand 158). As such, the majority can exercise their control over the minority groups owing to their dominance through the vote. However, the progressivism ideology is based on the competition ideologies that could be present. The ideologies are used to gauge what could be right and appropriate for the society. The traditional American republicanism is based corruption and is crucial in ensuring economic progress of the community.
Representation and rights
Progressivism tends to address the issue of representation better than it is resolved through the traditional American republicanism. The traditional American republicanism addresses the issue of representation in a limited manner, with the people having political powers to choose their leaders. However, progressivism discusses all forms of equality that could bring about equitable representation. For example, economic inequalities are bêtes addressed through the progressivism ideology. The civil liberties are well taken care of through the traditional American republicanism (Brand 118). The civil rights should be premised on a set of rules and standards that are enshrined in a legal document. However, in relativism, such may often be revised and might be awarded based on the level of influence that the person in power wields. According to progressivism, the political evolution within a country, including the historical development has a role to play in the determination of the rights that the citizenry have to enjoy (Martin 127). The changing of the rights is based on the need to be relevant to the modern times.
The role of government
According to Kesler, the progressive ideologies such as Roosevelt largely depend their ideology on the need to advance the human good (6). Therefore, rights cannot be left to nature but the government of the day has to commit to ensuring that every citizen enjoys and exercises his or her right. The rights that the progressives work to offer to their fellow ideologist and subjects include being free, economic needs and social needs. The republicanism has been noted to be short of controlling the appetite of the industrialists who make the enjoyment of life and liberty at their discretion instead of offering it as an alienable right as is the case of the progressivism activist.
Conclusion
The traditional American republicanism is a rigid ideology that asserts that rights are natural and ought to be protected by the state. The ideology further argues that the people have a right to make decisions on the leaders who ought to govern them while doing away with the aristocratic rule. On the other hand, the progressivism ideology is fluid and asserts that the historical developments that are taking place in the society need to define the rights that the citizens are to enjoy. Such makes the progressivism ideology to be relevant to the community, and often subject to manipulation. However, the traditional American republicanism is a rigid process that is crucial for the protection of human rights, liberties, freedom, and economic rights. Concisely, the American republicanism is founded on the principles of representation and natural rights while the progressivism ideologies are grounded on the needs to have a controlled market, a government that is omniscient, and social responsibility for all.
References
Brand, Steele. “Sources of American Republicanism: Ancient Models in the US Capitol.” Humanitas 29.1-2 (2016): 105-133.
Kesler, Charles R. Political Parties. Pdf.
Martin, Chris C. “How ideology has hindered sociological insight.” The American Sociologist 47.1 (2016): 115-130.
