Best of 2024 (so far…)

Aug 19, 2024

Cross-post from From Poverty to Progress

I have gotten a flood of new members recently, so I thought that I would repost a list of my most popular articles of 2024 so far. Enjoy! -

Michael Magoon

As you probably already know, I have been on a break for this summer. Guess maybe I pushed a little too hard earlier in year! I plan to start writing original content weekly very soon.

In the meantime, I thought that you might like a compilation of my most popular articles of 2024 so far combined with those that I like the most. Even if you have already read them, it might be worth taking a second look. I am working hard to correct errors spotted by readers, add graphics, and cross-link to unposted articles when the first version came out.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

An Introduction to Progress Studies

Michael Magoon

Apr 25

Progress Studies is an emerging field of intellectual inquiry that studies the past to create a better future. Below is a series of articles that I wrote to introduce newcomers to the field. I recommend that you read the articles in the displayed order.

Read full story

The transformation of the American upper class

Michael Magoon

Oct 22

The transformation of the American upper class

Class is something that Americans do not like to talk about. Most people regard themselves and other people they know as “middle class,” even when they are obviously not. In particular, Americans are uncomfortable talking about the upper class or being labeled as a member of it.

Read full story

What do the Top 1% believe?

Michael Magoon

Apr 16

One of the Five Keys to Progress is decentralized political, economic, religious, and ideological power. I have written other articles on the danger of centralized political power, particularly the federal government in the United States and the European Union in Europe. I have also written articles on the

Read full story

Farming in Ancient Greece and Rome

Michael Magoon

Jan 17

My Substack column is focused on human material progress. I believe that this trend did not start until a little after 1200 in Northern Italy and Northwest Europe. I do, however, believe that we must understand history before the year 1200 to understand the origins of human material progress.

Read full story

Were Hitler and the National Socialists actually Socialist?

Michael Magoon

Jan 22

Were Hitler and the National Socialists actually Socialist?

“Antisemitism is the socialism of fools”

Read full story

Upward Mobility

Why achieving Equality is an Impossible Dream

Michael Magoon

Feb 7

Why achieving Equality is an Impossible Dream

For over 200 years one of the main goals of the political Left has been achieving some sort of equality. I am going to write more on the concept of equality in other articles, but the concept is really quite complex, and people who use the term often fail to define what type of equality they are ref…

Read full story

Upward Mobility

Why Equality of Opportunity is not enough

Michael Magoon

Feb 16

Why Equality of Opportunity is not enough

In a previous article, I argued that Equality of Outcome (a common goal of the Left) is:

Read full story

From Poverty to Progress

The Five Keys to Progress

Michael Magoon

Jan 26

The following is an excerpt from my book From Poverty to Progress: Understanding Humanity’s Greatest Achievement. You can purchase discounted copies of my book at my website, or pay full prize at Amazon.

Read full story

The Left has hit a historic dead end

Michael Magoon

Jan 2

In my series of podcasts on ideology, I argue that ideologies are based on non-rational psychological impulses. The goal of those who invent and follow ideologies is the transform society. Many ideologues claim that they have unlocked the keys to doing so. Many also claim that their views are based on science, logic, and reason.

Read full story

What is Progress Studies?

Michael Magoon

Jan 2

This is the first post of what I anticipate to be an extended series of posts on the field of Progress Studies. My guess is that most of you have never heard of the term, Progress Studies, so I am going to start with a very broad overview of the topic in this post.

Read full story

Why are people still unhappy in a world of progress?

Michael Magoon

Jan 18

Why are people still unhappy in a world of progress?

So many people that meet and talk to are convinced that the world is going to hell. Then when I tell them that my book series, Substack, and YouTube channel are about progress, they get a big look in their eyes. It is as if I dropped in from another planet. You cannot be talking about the world that I live within, they must be thinking. I believe that t…

Read full story

The dangers of Soft Totalitarianism

Michael Magoon

Oct 3

One of the key goals of this Substack column and my “From Poverty to Progress” book series is to:

Read full story

Kamala Harris is the future of the Democratic party

Michael Magoon

Nov 8

Kamala Harris is the future of the Democratic party

Though she lost the 2024 Presidential election, the future of Democratic politicians is perfectly represented by Kamala Harris.

Read full story

Is this really how you "Save Democracy?"

Michael Magoon

Nov 4

Is this really how you "Save Democracy?"

I have deliberately avoided mentioning the 2024 Presidential election in this Substack column. Though I often delve into ideology, and particularly its threat to material progress (and here and here), I tend to avoid writing about individual politicians, elections, or political parties. I felt that I had to write this one article on the topic of whether…

Read full story

More evidence that solar + wind cannot decommission coal plants at scale

Michael Magoon

Oct 8

More evidence that solar + wind cannot decommission coal plants at scale

As many of my readers know, I have been on a bit of a crusade against Green energy policies, because they:

Read full story

The European Union has gone too far

Michael Magoon

Oct 9

So far most of my articles on policy reform proposals have been about the United States. Today, I want to focus on Europe.

Read full story

Upward Mobility

We should phase out means-tested social programs

Michael Magoon

May 14

We should phase out means-tested social programs

I believe that the American welfare state is fundamentally flawed and has been so for the last 60 years. American social programs can be divided into two big categories:

Read full story

Upward Mobility

The case for Upward Bound accounts

Michael Magoon

Apr 22

I believe that the American welfare state is fundamentally flawed and has been so for the last 60 years. American social programs can be divided into two big categories:

Read full story