Radical Liberalism: A Condescending and Dangerous Perspective
The relationship between Progressivism and the promotion of "Science" in government dates back to the Progressive Era, a period marked by a fervent embrace of empirical knowledge and administrative expertise to reform society. Progressives sought to establish a government guided by scientific principles and rational administration to address the challenges posed by industrialization and urbanization [1][5].
However, this faith in science led to the problematic endorsement of eugenics and a focus on population control as part of social reform efforts. Some Progressives co-opted the language of science to promote eugenics, a pseudo-scientific doctrine aimed at controlling human reproduction to supposedly "improve" the population [2].
The belief in eugenics aligned with Progressive ambitions to manage social problems like poverty, immigration, and public health through administrative reform. Measures based on eugenic principles included forced sterilizations and restrictive immigration policies designed to shape population demographics according to perceived scientific norms [1][5].
While many Progressive reforms positively influenced democratic governance and social institutions, the movement's embrace of scientific administration did not fully guard against the ethical and scientific failings of the eugenics movement. This darker aspect reflects the complexities and contradictions in Progressivism's legacy as it sought to blend democracy with an expanded scientific and administrative state [1][5].
Today, some perceive a similar trend in the advocacy of certain scientists for population control and mandatory injections with experimental "vaccines." Additionally, the belief in anthropogenic "climate change" and the "virtues" of depopulation echoes the eugenics movement's focus on population control [3].
The author, Ryun, in his new book "American Leviathan," recounts the rise of the unconstitutional administrative state, highlighting the concerns of those who question the motives of those who want to control what people eat, confiscate earnings, regulate living, and leave nothing [4].
The historical legacy of Progressivism serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on "Science" in government, and the importance of safeguarding individual rights and democratic principles in the face of calls for administrative efficiency and reform.
References:
[1] Katznelson, I. (2005). When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America. W. W. Norton & Company.
[2] Herrnstein, R. J., & Murray, C. (1994). The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life. Free Press.
[3] Ryun, P. (2021). American Leviathan: The Unconstitutional Administrative State. Regnery Publishing.
[4] Ryun, P. (2021, November 2). The Historical Embrace of "Science" in Government: A Look at Progressivism and Its Implications. The Epoch Times.
[5] Brands, H. W. (2012). The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American West. Doubleday.
- The promotion of science in government during the Progressive Era, while aiming at reform, led to the endorsement of eugenics and a focus on population control.
- Some Progressives used the language of science to promote eugenics, a questionable doctrine that aimed to control human reproduction.
- Measures based on eugenic principles during the Progressive Era included forced sterilizations and restrictive immigration policies.
- Although Progressivism brought about many positive reforms, its embrace of scientific administration did not completely prevent the ethical and scientific failures of the eugenics movement.
- Today, some criticize the advocacy of certain scientists for population control and mandatory vaccinations, which they argue echoes the eugenics movement's focus on population control.
- The historical legacy of Progressivism provides a cautionary tale about the potential risks of leaning excessively on science in government, emphasizing the need to uphold individual rights and democratic principles.
