Final answer:
Progressives believed educated experts and a strong federal government were best suited to implement government work without infringing on individual rights, balancing the need for private property and market efficiency with social welfare and economic fairness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Progressives believed that those best positioned to perform government work without trampling individual rights were educated, professional experts and a federal government adept at regulating economic activity. Advocating for democracy, efficiency, and social justice, Progressives trusted that with proper government intervention, it was possible to correct the perceived flaws of Capitalism and safeguard public welfare.
Theodore Roosevelt, who became president in 1901, embodied the Progressive ideals at the federal level, leading efforts against economic monopolies and working to implement reforms aimed at curbing the excesses of businesses. Progressives were particularly concerned with economic concentration and corruption and believed the federal government could address these nationwide problems that grassroots methods couldn’t tackle alone.
Although some Americans feared that this might lead toward Socialism or restrict business freedoms too much, Progressives and many business leaders recognized the necessity of balancing private property rights with regulation to prevent the social upheavals seen in Europe. Progressives held a cautious optimism that mild reforms could coexist with a capitalist system to both improve conditions for workers and maintain overall market stability.