In the Progressives’ telling, both parties and party politicians had no redeeming virtues and could only mislead and dissemble. But both “the people” and the expert scientific administrators were unbiased, and thus had unique insight into the Truth. Progressives believed the public interest depended on disinterested citizens coming together, without “politics” and self-interest. Once everyone put country above party, expertise and common sense would align, and wisdom would prevail over petty greed.
