Progress and Regression

The abolition of slavery, the introduction of social security systems, and the criminalisation of rape within marriage are commonly regarded as instances of social progress – of change for the better. Nevertheless, the idea of a general progressive motion has lost its old lustre, and even arouses scepticism. Meanwhile, commentators everywhere are quick to diagnose symptoms of regression. With the term applied to a range of contemporary phenomena, from right-wing authoritarian populism to the notion of democracy fatigue.

In her new book, Rahel Jaeggi defends the conceptual pairing of progress and regression as an indispensable socio-philosophical tool for critiquing the contemporary era. She views phenomena as progressive or regressive not only based on their outcomes, but on the forms of the social transformations themselves. By interrogating how regressive tendencies are enabled by experiential blockages that impede our ability to learn from past mistakes, Jaeggi develops a concept of progress that avoids Eurocentric distortions as well as the idea of the inevitability of progressive developments. Progress, Jaeggi shows, is not a path toward a predetermined goal but a never-ending process of emancipation.

»Jaeggi’s proposal is shrewd, a win for all who find themselves contemplating the notions of progress and regression in light of contemporary events. She argues precisely, cannily identifies every possible objection in advance and refutes them.« Julia Werthmann, Die Zeit