On 7/20/2012 5:54 PM, Crmccann wrote: > Filene objects to the notion of a Progressive "movement," not to the notion of ideological affinity. And what "ideological affinity" does he suggest provides the essence of progressivism? Hint: none: not even the optimism and activism taken as essential by Hofstadter. (I confess that I think Hofstadter is basically right, nevertheless.) Which dismantles your attempts to e.g. associate progressivism with eugenics. Eugenics was a fad. Some progressives were susceptible. Some weren't. (As with conservatives. E.g., Popenoe.) Alan Isaac