Progress
This chapter discusses the first of specific types of the construction of grand narrative, that is ‘progress’. The desire for, and belief in, historical progress has always been found in human societies. This reached its height in the 19th century in the thoughts of thinkers as diverse a Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill. In the 19th century the progressivism was often accompanied by additional contentions about the superiority of European culture and the Christian religion, and for this reason it also came to be associated with the justification of imperialism. Progressivism, however, does not necessarily has to invoke anything in the way of a teleology or grand design.
Keywords: grand narrative, Karl Marx, John Stuart Mill, historical progress, European culture
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