"The world of hope" : progressives and the struggle for an ethical public life /

Danbom argues here that progressives were products of the late 19th century, reflecting the Victorian faith in the individual and in human progress. This faith, shaken by the depression of the 1890s, created a crisis in values. Trying to come to terms with the realities of a rapidly developing industrial-capitalist system, progressives attempted to infuse public life with the ethical and moral values that controlled private life. ``Christian progressives'' dominated the reform impulse until 1910, when they were joined by modernizing ``scientific progressives'' who looked at society empirically and valued efficiency more than the regeneration of individual character. Success followed. Progressives passed laws, reformed institutions, raised the level of public morality and efficiency, and revitalized public life. WW I dashed their hopes and created an environment of disillusionment that emphasized selfish interest-group politics, materialism, hedonism, and lawlessness. As a final indignity old, socially oriented concepts were reshaped into a justification of antisocial behavior. Danbom has taken rhetoric at face value, narrowed his focus to beliefs and values, and concentrated on published materials, but he has captured the essence of progressivism. Highly recommended for college and university libraries.-S.L. Piott, Clarion University of Pennsylvania