When the election of 1912 rolled around in the United States, Progressivism had been a force in American society and politics for fifteen years. With that said, it is surprising the number of issues that Progressivism had failed to resolve by that point in time. As illustrated by the party platforms for the election, the general public still had little say in politics, women were still battling sexual oppression, and labor laws and health and safety regulations in the workplace were still atrocious. These unresolved problems, coupled with several others of the same magnitude, make it quite clear that perhaps Progressivism wasn't particularly successful after all.
By 1912, it is clear that the general public still had little say in the country's political system, as the Progressive party's platform promised to allow for the direct election of the United States Senators by the people. In today's society, this is common practice, and gives U.S. residents far greater control over how their country is governed. In 1912, however, it appears as though Senators were appointed, thus limiting the public's voice in government.
Another issue mentioned in the party's platform that offers reason to doubt Progressivism's success by 1912, was that of equal suffrage. The Progressive party expressed a belief that, "no people can justly claim to be a true democracy which denies political rights on account of sex." This statement is indicative of the fact that women were still the victims of sexual discrimination and oppression, and thus still struggling for equality. While it is admirable that the Progressive party recognized this problem and pledged to obliterate it, it is at the same time tragic that such a problem still existed.
One final issue that is mentioned in the Progressive party's platform for the election of 1912 that indicates Progressivism's lack of success by that point in time, has to do with their promises of social and industrial justice.
