Theodore Roosevelt A Progressive Summary

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Who is a Progressive? Theodore Roosevelt in “Who is a Progressive?”defines true Progressives as dauntless leaders who through their compassion and belief in the unprivileged are morally determined to move the country forward in spite of constitutional and economic obstacles;while motivated purely by justice and a selfless desire for the betterment of mankind. Roosevelt goes on to argue, although many people may consider themselves progressives such as President Taft their ‘good intentions’ make ‘useless substitutes' for the true characteristics of a Progressive. They lack ‘vision’, and ‘intensity’ of one’s ‘convictions’ which are necessary to lead America to achieve Progressive reforms which are dedicated to benefitting the multitudes of all classes (AP 36). Roosevelt expands his argument by describing the Progressive vision of the forward movement as a relentless pursuit of 'social and industrial justice ' for all citizens. His forward vision incapsulates a society where every individual in their work and daily lives are free to be conducted 'efficiently' and with 'dignity'; through government regulation of big business where …show more content…

He further explains Taft’s and Wilson’s leadership in contrast support reforms, stemming from the self interests and intellectual elites that cultivate advantages of the privileged class. True Progressives in his view do not in ‘times of change’ put their faith in ‘downward’ reforms to uphold the ‘privileged ‘and aid special interests' whether or not they intended or enacted with ‘evil motives’. These Reactionaries Roosevelt maintains lack compassion and an interest in mankind. These men's paucity of a vision and hutzpah to fight injustice from adherence to the traditional constitutional boundaries of national and state government results in a failure to shepherd society to progress forward. (AP

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