Progressivism: Conserving Bourgeoisie Power

We generally think of progressivism as something which is anti-conservative. This is a mistake. Conservatives are generally those in power who wish to maintain the current system.

One of the problems I encounter all the time when talking politics is that people generally accept most of the political categories they are given. Democrats are “liberals” and Republicans are “conservative.” The “right” and the “left” are fundamentally different. Republicans and the right are supporters of “big business,” but Democrats are for the “average guy.” Following politicians and the political process is vital for understanding what is going on. In the west we all participate in some form of democratic rule. Elections matter. On and on one could go.

While it is useful to learn about concepts like the “administrative state” and to understand how power has shifted from the factory owning bourgeoisie to the “managers,” and even though it does pierce the veil somewhat, it does not go deep enough. I have always suspected that the truth of the matter is, in many ways, a reversal of the categories we normally use. Reading Augusto del Noce, in Carlo Lancellotti’s excellent collection …