Progressive- A political movement that has as its root and primary purpose securing economic justice for the governed. It has a long history in America, manifested in both “causes” and dedicated political parties. These causes include such great accomplishments as emancipation, where economic exploitation was the root purpose behind slavery; voting and equal rights for women where again, economic exploitation was at the core of discrimination against women, restrictions on child labor and providing labor organizing rights where exploitation was the core social evil to be overcome.

In the contemporary scene, The progressive movement is associated with such economic justice reforms as ending the domination of public policy and the entire political process by corporations and the wealthy class in America, labor rights to collectively bargain and provision of a living wage, tax policy reform which fairly distributes the tax burden between individual citizens and corporations, and fair distribution of government services and expenditures to the human needs of ordinary citizens first and commercial organizations as a second priority if choices are to be made. And domestic needs of citizens first above all other priorities which are set by legislative and executive public policy priorities. Solutions sought are most often systemic change or reform.

Populism- A parallel political movement in America which emphasizes the needs of working, low and moderate income people. In early American history this movement had its origins in rural America. In Texas, the populist movement addressed the rights of ranchers and land owners in west Texas vs. the aggressive “takings” of land in development of railroads, supported by government. In east Texas the populist movement had its roots in usury in bank lending practices with small farmers and landowners. In both cases both corporations and supporting government administrations were the object of criticism and citizen revolt. In the contemporary situation, Texas political office-holders such as Rep. Wright Patman, Sen. Ralph Yarbrough, Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower and Attorney General Jim Mattox self identified as Populists, as does candidate David Van Os.

Liberalism- In contrast to progressivism, liberalism, in the domestic application emphasizes social justice issues, often without addressing the core economic injustice underpinnings of worker, racial, gender and sexual discrimination. Solutions sought in the liberal paradigm more often are exemplified in legislation or legal remedies to restore or improve rights and equal access. In contract, progressivism typically seeks systemic change or reform, again with first emphasis on economic justice.