Changes

In 2018, "progressive" means more [[liberal]] than mainstream [[Democrat]]s.

In 2018, "progressive" means more [[liberal]] than mainstream [[Democrat]]s.

They often use the term to describe themselves and their policies in contrast to "regressive" policies of their opponents. For example, progressives will ask rhetorically, "Do you want to go back to the 1950s?" implying that women were oppressed by being forced to be [[housewife|housewives]] and men were oppressed by being falsely accused of favoring Communism (see [[McCarthyism]]).

Historically, progressives used their term to describe themselves and their policies in contrast to "regressive" policies of their opponents. For example, progressives will ask rhetorically, "Do you want to go back to the 1950s?" implying that women were oppressed by being forced to be [[housewife|housewives]] and men were oppressed by being falsely accused of favoring Communism (see [[McCarthyism]]).

The term progressive was recently revived by [[politician]]s who considered themselves to be [[liberal]].  This revival occurred shortly before the [[2006 elections]].  It was implemented to help distance politicians, mainly [[Democrats]], from the negative history associated with various members of the party at that time.  It was also meant to create a belief that [[conservatives]] were not able to think of a progressive future for the [[United States]].  The most famous historical usage of the term was in the 1890s to 1920s, sometimes called the [[Progressive Era]].  During the Progressive Era, politicians of both parties and various ideologies adopted the term, notably [[Theodore Roosevelt]], a Republican who founded the [[Progressive Party]] (also known as the Bull Moose Party) and [[Woodrow Wilson]].

The term progressive was recently revived by [[politician]]s who considered themselves to be [[liberal]].  This revival occurred shortly before the [[2006 elections]].  It was implemented to help distance politicians, mainly [[Democrats]], from the negative history associated with various members of the party at that time.  It was also meant to create a belief that [[conservatives]] were not able to think of a progressive future for the [[United States]].  The most famous historical usage of the term was in the 1890s to 1920s, sometimes called the [[Progressive Era]].  During the Progressive Era, politicians of both parties and various ideologies adopted the term, notably [[Theodore Roosevelt]], a Republican who founded the [[Progressive Party]] (also known as the Bull Moose Party) and [[Woodrow Wilson]].