HOW DID PROGRESSIVES DIFFER FROM POPULISTS?

Unified movement with different types, Northeastern urban, Southern populist, Western progressives

Northeastern Progressives more concerned with Immigrants, concerned about Direct Democracy



WHY WAS THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT CONSIDERED MORE MAINSTREAM?



MUGWUMPS AND MUCKRACKERS


CORPORATIONS

Reduce power over legislative process – legislatures full of corruption

Social reforms of negative impact of business – Labor legislation, Health and safety legislation

Railroads and utilities to protect new services

Corporations do some for society, progressives want them to work in public interest



MACHINES


Jackson – public service should be open to all

Sense that corruption is tied to structure of government, system builds incentive to work for party

Britain 1855 Civil Service Reform

Late 1860s early 1870s Republicans begin to lose control, part of the reason behind Civil Service Reform, make Grant look like a reformer, keep Republican coalition together

1871 Civil Service Commission – first merit exams in 1873, 1874 Congress shuts off funding, Grant removes program 1875

Investigation in Port of New York,

Hayes extends Civil Service Reform by Executive Order

President Arthur – Civil Service Reform use Garfield’s platform to further cause of reform

National Civil Service Reform League – working with Pendleton of Idaho

Pendleton Act 1891 – Commission that will recommend rules for civil service exams

1882 Republicans lose House – party competition tightened

Bicameralism important –

By 1900 close to half civil service is merit based

Once a reform is in place it sets out next reform

Interstate Commerce Commission 1887

Railroad monopolization

State legislatures had previously controlled railroads

Railroads also realize they need reform ,

Role of economists and experts



Sherman Antitrust Act – 1890 to prevent monopoly



See no benefits to machines , anti-immigrent,

Distinguish between responsible wealth and irresponsible wealth

Want business to be managed by a responsible elite


POLITICAL AND ELECTORAL PROCESSES



If you want good outcomes, you need a better political process

AUSTRALIAN BALLOT

Official, consolidated, secret

Replaced party prepared ballots

LITERACY REQUIREMENTS etc

DIRECT PRIMARY

DIRECT ELECTION OF SENATORS

CANVASS

28 states

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

NATIONAL PUBLICITY ACTS 1910, 1911

Publicized campaign donations and expenditures

Corrupt Practices Acts – state level ban on corporations contributing to campaigns

Banned paying people to vote

DECLINE IN TURNOUT

State controlled elections took excitement away from campaigns

DECLINE OF PARTIES AND RISE OF INTEREST GROUPS

Skocpol – looks at interest group membership historically

Farm Bureau, Association of Manufacterers

RISE OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES –

Progressives wanted to replace control from legislatures to scientific management

Non-elected officials with specialized training

Losing power of appointment you lose accountability

MORONE –

TENSIONS IN PROGRESSIVE ERA

1) Direct Democracy – initiative, referendum, recall

Tension with administrative agencies

CAN BE RECONCILED WITH AN OBJECTIVE PUBLIC INTEREST, IN CONTRAST TO CORRUPT LEGISLATORS