“We can interpret the history of power politics from the point of view of our fight for the open society, for a rule of reason, for justice, freedom, equality, and for the control of international crime. Although history has no ends, we can impose these ends of ours upon it.” —Karl Popper

Popper famously noted that unlimited tolerance of intolerance can destroy the very freedoms it depends on. To preserve an open, enlightened culture, we must protect the mechanisms that allow for progress—creativity, criticism, and corrections.

This is a blog from political journalist Jordan Meadows, exploring politics, history, and philosophy through a lens shaped by Popper’s critical rationalism and a Hitchens-style insistence on challenging authority and arrogance toward dogma. We tackle the questions that matter, analyze the ideas that shape our world, and confront culture, policy, and thought with curiosity and optimism.

Why subscribe?

Subscribers will receive:

  • Full access to the newsletter, including two full text articles per week

  • Access to the complete Preserving Progress Archives

  • The opportunity to engage with a community of people who share your interests in the comments sections and on the open threads

User's avatar

Subscribe to Preserving Progress

Political analysis informed by history and philosophy

People