A great democracy has got to be progressive or it will soon cease to be great or a democracy.
Theodore Roosevelt, in his New Nationalism speech, emphasizes the importance of progressivism within a democracy. He argues that for a democracy to thrive and maintain its greatness, it must continuously adapt and evolve. Without progress, he warns that a democratic system may stagnate and ultimately fail to serve its purpose of representing the people’s interests.
Roosevelt's assertion highlights the necessity for democratic societies to pursue social, economic, and political reforms. He believed that the challenges of modern life require proactive measures to ensure equality and justice, suggesting that complacency could lead to the erosion of democratic values and institutions.