Progressives usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but advocate for significant government coercion to control the economy and redistribute wealth. Progressives tolerate alternative lifestyles and generally favor a government-funded “safety net” to help the disadvantaged, or to reduce wealth inequality. Most advocate rigid regulation of business as well as strict environmental regulations. Progressives support government action to promote equal opportunity, but can be divided on questions of free expression, particularly when expression is thought to traumatize victims of past injustice.

Famous progressives include Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Bernie Sanders, and filmmaker Michael Moore.

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States