"The march of progress" is a phrase commonly used to describe the idea that society is constantly evolving and improving over time. It implies that humanity is moving towards a better future, characterized by technological advancement, scientific discovery, and social progress.
During the era of imperialism, progress was often linked to the idea of Western superiority and was used to justify colonialism and the subjugation of non-Western societies. Imperialists saw themselves as bringing progress to the so-called "backward" societies they were colonizing, with the aim of civilizing and modernizing them.
However, this view of progress was often based on a narrow and Eurocentric understanding of what progress meant, focusing primarily on industrialization, capitalism, and scientific rationality. It ignored the rich cultural traditions and knowledge systems of non-Western societies and failed to recognize the destructive impact of imperialism on local cultures and economies.
Today, the idea of progress is still debated and contested, with some questioning the assumptions underlying the concept and challenging the notion of a linear and universal trajectory of history.