Final answer:
Progressives like Theodore Roosevelt in the early 1900s and Bernie Sanders in recent times have sought reforms in democracy and social justice, challenging the establishment and striving for a more equitable and responsive government.
Step-by-step explanation:
Progressives like Theodore Roosevelt and Bernie Sanders have challenged the establishment by advocating for reforms that address inequality, economic concentration, and political corruption. Progressive movements historically sought government support to combat the influence of big business, which grassroots initiatives struggled to oppose effectively. Roosevelt's presidency marked a transformative era where activism within the executive branch was essential to push for Progressive ideals like democracy, efficiency, and social justice.
Roosevelt, using his popularity and Progressive agenda, shifted the focus of the 1912 presidential campaign to issues like direct democracy and business regulation, despite not winning the election. His challenges to big business, labor support, and land conservation set a standard for successors like William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson, who continued with antitrust rulings and expanded federal oversight. The Progressives' legacy is evident in reforms they pushed for, such as women's suffrage, the eight-hour workday, workers' compensation, and direct election of senators.
In contemporary times, figures like Bernie Sanders resonate with Progressive ideals, emphasizing the need for economic fairness, healthcare reform, and greater democratic involvement. Sanders' campaigns mirror the Progressive push for a more responsive government and an end to political corruption, demonstrating the continued relevance of these reformist goals.