First Things writer R.R. Reno has an excellent article on progressive politics, what it actually is, and how it is dangerous. He especially draws some excellent quotes from Edmund Burke’s writings regarding the French Revolution.

I liked what he had to say here very much:

“Nonetheless, conservatism and progressivism have fundamentally different tendencies as ruling principles. Conservatism wants to protect, nurture, and perfect aspects of the social norms we already have. Drawing its strength from what exists, it has room for dissent. Progressivism pours Agent Orange on the cultural landscape to make space for something new, something it imagines to be better. Seeking what is ideal, it often excludes dissent as a matter of moral principle.”