Progress Cannot Be Defined as Belonging Solely to a Specific Political Spectrum

THESIS: Some accepted definitions of the word "progress" do not apply to every degree on the political spectrum. Although the provided definition of the word progress is one recognized definition of the word "progress," there are are other definitions of the word that do not apply in all of the contexts supplied by Pro's argument. DEFINITION: prog·ress [n. prog-res, -ruh s or, esp. British, proh-gres; v. pruh-gres] noun :activity in science, technology, etc. , especially with reference to the commercial opportunities created thereby or to the promotion of the material well-being of the public through the goods, techniques, or facilities created. [1]For a more encyclopaedic perspective on the word progress, let's take a look at Wikipedia:In historiography and the philosophy of science, progress (from Latin progressus, "an advance") is the idea that the world can become increasingly better in terms of science, technology, modernization, liberty, democracy, quality of life, etc. [2]In the context of politics, this definition of the word is the definition that generally applies. Typically, but not quite exclusively, the application of the word "progress" is used to invoke left-of-center politics. However, the notion of progress as a social or technological evolution of humanity is clearly antithetical to some portions of the extreme right-wing: some religious groups would refute any value placed on progress or human self-determination, some nationalist extremists would oppose progress in any global context, some racial supremacists would exclude some human populations from any franchise of improvement, etc. Certainly, since Teddy Roosevelt, "progress" used as the stem word of Progressive politics or Progressive movements is decidedly left-of-center in political orientation. In 21st century American politics, an organization that places the word "progress" in its name is defining itself on the left as pronouncedly as an organization with "family values" in its name is defining itself on the right. The political orientation of the Vermont Progressive Party, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, or the Center for American Progress is declared by simply invoking progress in the name. I should say that I am confining this argument to American politics, seeing that Pro begins by refuting the American Left's usage of the word. Left-Wing ideology, stemming as it does from the division of the French Estate General, is here defined as support for social equality. [3] Conversely, Right-Wing ideology is defined as support for social hierarchy or social inequality. [4] In so far as the political definition of the word "progress" always implies increased democratization and self-improvement on a national or global scale, the word is generally exclusive of Right-Wing ideology. So, while abortion rights might be considered tangentially progressive in the extension of a civil right, Obamacare is a more classic representation of an expanded franchise and so progressive legislation. Gun ownership as a right was originally a progressive cause, expanding the franchise of self-defense to every class of people. Gun control today may also be defined as progressive, in as much as the implementation of regulations regarding registration, training, accountability represent organizational improvements. In these contexts, all definitions of the word "progress" are relevant. A resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, on the other hand, would represent a return to a traditional, less scientific political model. Although it might represent the attainment of some organization's goal, resegregation would not mean "progress" by every definition of the word. Likewise, the continuation of many Islamic traditions, while potentially an attainable goal, would not qualify as "progress" in the sense of human advancement. [1] . http://dictionary.reference.com...[2] . http://en.wikipedia.org...(history)[3] . http://en.wikipedia.org...[4] . http://en.wikipedia.org...