The Progressive Movement's goal was to improve life by making moderate political and social changes through governmental action. They wanted to limit the power of corporations, improve democracy to benefit the people, and strengthen justice. "Many formerly local organizations that had formed around specific interests and issues became nationwide" (Norton, Mary Beth. Chapter 18: The Progressive Era, 1895-1920. In A People & A Nation, p. 537). These organizations included professional associations and issue-oriented groups. These groups acted outside established parties, which made politics more fragmented and issue focused. Business progressives and middle-class progressives both had the same goal, efficiency. A new middle class, consisting
…show more content…
These progressives urged nonpartisan elections to prevent fraud and bribery that corrupt politicians used. "To make officeholders more responsible, they urged adoption of the initiative, which permitted voters to propose new laws; the referendum, which enabled voters to accept or reject a law; and the recall, which allowed voters to remove offending officials and judges from office" (Norton, Mary Beth. Chapter 18: The Progressive Era, 1895-1920. In A People & A Nation, p. 538). Business-dominated organizations believed that running schools, hospitals, and local government like efficient businesses would help stabilize society. Many progressives hoped that regulation of large corporations would liberate human energies from the restrictions that were imposed by industrial capitalism. Progressives disagreed over which solutions should be used to regulate corporations. These solutions included Laissez-faire, trust-busting, regulation, and socialism. With the Laissez-Faire principle, many progressives argued that marketplace forces were the best …show more content…
They also argued that the companies who made unsafe products would eventually lose customers and go bankrupt. "The Progressive Era's theme of reform in politics, institutions, and social relations drew attention to government, especially the federal government, as the foremost agent of change" (Norton, Mary Beth. Chapter 18: The Progressive Era, 1895-1920. In A People & A Nation, p.
These progressives urged nonpartisan elections to prevent fraud and bribery that corrupt politicians used. "To make officeholders more responsible, they urged adoption of the initiative, which permitted voters to propose new laws; the referendum, which enabled voters to accept or reject a law; and the recall, which allowed voters to remove offending officials and judges from office" (Norton, Mary Beth. Chapter 18: The Progressive Era, 1895-1920. In A People & A Nation, p. 538). Business-dominated organizations believed that running schools, hospitals, and local government like efficient businesses would help stabilize society. Many progressives hoped that regulation of large corporations would liberate human energies from the restrictions that were imposed by industrial capitalism. Progressives disagreed over which solutions should be used to regulate corporations. These solutions included Laissez-faire, trust-busting, regulation, and socialism. With the Laissez-Faire principle, many progressives argued that marketplace forces were the best …show more content…
They also argued that the companies who made unsafe products would eventually lose customers and go bankrupt. "The Progressive Era's theme of reform in politics, institutions, and social relations drew attention to government, especially the federal government, as the foremost agent of change" (Norton, Mary Beth. Chapter 18: The Progressive Era, 1895-1920. In A People & A Nation, p.