A political philosophy that emerged in the early 20th century, particularly associated with Theodore Roosevelt’s 1912 presidential campaign, advocated for a powerful federal government to regulate the economy and promote social justice. It represented a departure from traditional laissez-faire economics and emphasized the need for government intervention to protect citizens from corporate greed and ensure equal opportunity. An example includes Roosevelt’s call for regulating trusts and establishing a national system of social insurance.
This ideology marked a significant shift in American political thought and helped to shape the progressive movement. Its emphasis on federal power to address social and economic problems had lasting impacts on policy and legislation. The concept influenced landmark legislation such as the creation of regulatory agencies and the implementation of social welfare programs. Its significance lies in its contribution to the expansion of the government’s role in American life and its attempt to balance individual liberty with the common good.
