Spanning from the 1890’s to the 1920’s, the Progressive Era marks a period of monumental social and political change in the United States. Leaders in the movement sought egalitarian reform in various political, social, financial, industrial, and scientific spheres. It was during this era that the social sciences in the United States became codified as professional and robustly scientific academic fields. In addition, many socially and politically relevant persons, reforms, and institutions arose from the period. One visionary of note is the renowned political/social activist, philosopher, and author, Jane Addams.
Jane Addams was an advocate for the poor, and although descended from wealthy and educational privilege, she understood …show more content…
Jane Addams argued that authentic social advancement should be democratic and inclusive. Additionally, it was not to be enforced by structures of authority, but from participatory processes (i.e., citizens and organizations engage in altruism because they share a stake in a collective and mutually beneficial sphere of lateral progress). She witnessed economic progress experienced by an elite few while the middle and lower class experience minimal benefits. Addams argued that the poor are often victims of circumstance and it is the responsibility of society, particularly higher status individuals, to understand the position of the poor and that this transformation is crucial to developing a means of allowing the participation of the marginalized in lateral progress. For instance, in the case of social progress, she observed that while African-Americans were given newfound rights post civil war, they were often prevented from experiencing and exercising those legal rights through a combination of laws and social morays intent on preventing equality and maintaining racism. In the instance of women’s suffrage, she argued that it wasn’t about fairness or equality, but rather, that the inclusion of women would further the advancement of society. Adams also supported labor unions and collective bargaining, not merely to benefit those in the unions, but all workers by improving the standards of working conditions, wages, and
Jane Addams was an advocate for the poor, and although descended from wealthy and educational privilege, she understood …show more content…
Jane Addams argued that authentic social advancement should be democratic and inclusive. Additionally, it was not to be enforced by structures of authority, but from participatory processes (i.e., citizens and organizations engage in altruism because they share a stake in a collective and mutually beneficial sphere of lateral progress). She witnessed economic progress experienced by an elite few while the middle and lower class experience minimal benefits. Addams argued that the poor are often victims of circumstance and it is the responsibility of society, particularly higher status individuals, to understand the position of the poor and that this transformation is crucial to developing a means of allowing the participation of the marginalized in lateral progress. For instance, in the case of social progress, she observed that while African-Americans were given newfound rights post civil war, they were often prevented from experiencing and exercising those legal rights through a combination of laws and social morays intent on preventing equality and maintaining racism. In the instance of women’s suffrage, she argued that it wasn’t about fairness or equality, but rather, that the inclusion of women would further the advancement of society. Adams also supported labor unions and collective bargaining, not merely to benefit those in the unions, but all workers by improving the standards of working conditions, wages, and