What is Progressivism?

Note: Cross post with permission from UP Cafe:

This question has and continues to be asked and written about by a plethora of people around the world. Most recently during the U.S. presidential campaigns. When thousands of professed American “progressives” worked to get President Obama elected. And are now asking, is he really a Progressive?
According to Webster's dictionary:

pro-gres-siv-ism (n) ---- 1: the principles and practices of
progressives.2:(cap.)the doctrines and beliefs of a Progressive Party.

So, from this definition then, one would look to the who. Progressives'. Yet again we look to Webster:

pro-gres-sive (n) ---- 1: a person who favors progress or reform, as in politics. 2: (cap.) a member of a Progressive Party.

Hmm, not very definitive you say? Ah, but these are but the nouns. And trust, we'll not go into an American language lesson here. So,what else is there to this? The adjective! As described by Webster:

pro-gres-sive, adj.---- 1: advocating progress or reform,esp. in political and social matters. 2: employing or advocating more liberal ideas, new
methods,etc.:a progressive community. 3: marked by progress, reform or a
continuing improvement; as, a progressive people, progressive education.

Eureka! Finally an answer. No? We agree. That it is rather open ended. But perhaps it is as it should be. For what "progress or reform" may look to one may not be to another. Ah, there in lies the conundrum.

As some of you on your quest to find an answer may have encountered,especially if,like us,went to Wikipedia and read through some of the aggregation of information. There and on other online vicinity's was one surprising fact.

Simple Answer: It depends on where and who in the world you ask.

It can be and is very confusing to those just entering the political & social issues arena. And as some have experienced, can be manipulated to serve faux-progressives.

The real answer is with-in all of us. When each one ask, what does “progress or reform” look like,feel like for those less fortunate than ourselves, our children, the aged, the sick, dying and hungry.

You'll know the answer. What will be your definition?