The new progressivism arose in post-1960s politics and has been refined and taken to a new level by President Obama. Like the old progressivism, the new progressivism proclaims its egalitarian desire to democratize American political institutions by making them more responsive to the will of the people. At the same time, and also like the old progressivism, it doubts the ability of the people to recognize their true interests while exuding confidence in the ability of highly trained elites to impartially administer federal programs on the people’s behalf. But in contrast to the original progressivism, the new progressivism seeks to obscure its awkward combination of egalitarianism and elitism.
(Peter Berkowitz, "Obama and the State of Progressivism, 2011," Policy Review [December 2010 & January 2011]: 3-25, at 11)
Note from KBJ: I recommend this essay.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 