Idea of Progress

The Idea of Progress is a worldview mainly promoted by globalists and liberals that argues "that the human condition has improved over the course of history and will continue to improve."

History of the idea

Throughout history, most philosophers did not believe in any idea of progress, although some took various positions which mirrored aspects of the theory. Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle – who believed in a cyclical view of history – as well as the Christian philosopher Augustine – who believed in a linear view of history – held such positions despite never believing the theory.

The formation of the Idea of Progress began during the Enlightenment Era, during the 1700s, through the seeds of this theory could be seen in philosophical writings from the 1600s. These philosophers were inspired by the achievements of the Scientific Revolution and believed that the progress seen in scientific advancements could be applied in other fields such as the social or moral realm. These philosophers, unsurprisingly, took an optimistic and positive view of humanity. The idea of progress was promoted by philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, G. W. F. Hegel, Karl Marx, Auguste Comte, and John Stuart Mill.

Events in the 20th century, such as World War I, World War II, the Holocaust, and the development of nuclear weapons, shook the belief in the idea of progress, leading many philosophers to either moderate their support for or to reject the Idea of Progress.

Liberalism, globalism, secularism, and progress

While many philosophers have rethought their position on the Idea of Progress, most political leaders, as well as Western culture-at-large, has fully adopted the view that humanity is improving in the social, political, and moral sense. They reflect Kant's, Hegel's, and Marx's views that world peace and one-world government is within reach and that humanity must rid itself of any barriers to this desired utopia, including anything that is "outdated."

As they believe that the end result of progress will be world peace and the unification of humanity, many liberals and globalists support the eventual establishment of a one-world government and the end of nationalism and national sovereignty. Thus, they support the War on Sovereignty, mass migration which will help reduce nationalism, open borders, the establishment of international organizations such as the United Nations and European Union, and global disarmament.

Liberals, believing in the Idea of Progress, believe that big government policies and greater government involvement in society – which are used to push liberal values onto society – help advance human progress. Policies such as gun control, collectivism, single-payer healthcare, and the federalization of the government at the expense of states' rights flow from this "Progressive" ideology.

Since liberals and even many establishment "conservatives" consider theologically conservative and orthodox Christianity to be "outdated," "archaic," or "narrow-minded," they believe that wiping out biblical Christian beliefs will only enhance human progress and remove an obstacle to the betterment of humanity. Thus, despite the total lack of evidence, biblical Christian beliefs thought in love are increasingly considered "hate speech" or a "hate crime." Policies such as banning homeschooling; persecuting and marginalizing Christians who oppose abortion, homosexuality, and universalism (such as forcing Christians to pay for abortions or baking wedding cakes for homosexuals); and using every opportunity to teach evolution as fact flow from this worldview.

Evolution has been compared to the Idea of Progress.