Progressive Reformers

Progressive reformers fought for governmental protections and fairness, true representation, and equal access to government. The actors utilized collective action, executive influence, and party conflict to get results. The results were congressional dependence on the people, decentralized institutions, a stronger impact of collective action.

There were numerous groups playing a part within the progressive movement, and what each group attempted to accomplish depended on the group. The populists mostly resided in the south and the west. Mostly farmers, they focused their time on the regulation of the railroads and on bankers. (Knott & Miller, 1987, p. 34) The populists placed pressure on Congress which resulted in the creation of the Interstate

This group of reformers consisted of small business owners and merchants. They demanded equal “a system of public administration in which public amenities would be provided automatically, without bribes, by an efficient, routinized bureaucracy.” (Knott & Miller, 1987, p. 37) The urban merchant class group of progressive reformers focused their time on urban bureaucracies versus larger agencies. (Knott & Miller, 1987, p. 37) These groups of progressive reformers, along with the northeastern gentlemen formed what would be known as the progressive coalition. This group focused on effective administrations, a social safety net, a reduction in taxes, and the regulation of industries and services such as the railroads. (Knott & Miller, 1987, p.

After the movement, however, interest groups started to form a centralized role. “ The Progressive electoral reforms increasingly allowed a variety of middle-class and professional interests to be represented outside of the party system.” (Knott & Miller, 1987, p. 81) The effects of this can still be felt today with voter turnout significantly decreased and an increase in split ticket voting. (Knott & Miller, 1987, p. 81) Executive management is another impact of the progressive era. President Taft started the tradition of Presidents creating commissions outside of Congress. This pattern continued and resulted in the increased powers of the executive branch. At this time, Willoughby, a university professor, argued that “within the administrative branch responsibility and power must be more strongly centralized and a more integrated system of administration services be built up.” (Knott & Miller, 1987, p. 85) The progressive reformers attempted to promote economic and social equality through equal representation, fair and equal access to government, and equal protections. The reforms utilized party conflict, executive actions, and collective action tactics to achieve results. The long-term effects were lower voter turnout, balanced powers, collective actions, and congressional dependence on their