Final answer:
The phrase 'Three cheers for the nanny state' likely refers to government intervention as the subject of Dickinson's letters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "Three cheers for the nanny state" in the context of Dickinson's letters likely refers to government intervention. This echoes the sentiments of the Progressives who, among other focuses, did not emphasize land reform as a key area of their agenda. The Progressives of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were particularly known for advocating for government engagement in various aspects of social and economic life to address issues stemming from industrialization and urbanization. They sought to implement laws to address public health concerns, workers' rights, and social welfare.
At the beginning of the 19th century, political philosophers dealing with widespread poverty and inequality proposed responses that commonly involved social ownership of the means of production. Their approach marked a distinct contrast to laissez-faire economic policies and influenced subsequent social and political movements, including Progressivism. These ideas often translated into efforts by governments and reformers to enact legislation that regulated housing, labor rights, and public health aimed at preventing the spread of disease in industrial cities.
The underlying theme in these historical instances is a push towards creating a more egalitarian society through the mechanisms of state intervention, exemplifying the early ideas of socialism and contrasting the notion of an "invisible hand" regulating the market. Reformers like Ida Tarbell exposed corrupt business practices, and the Roosevelt administration's New Deal policies further reflected these progressive ideals with initiatives like governmental regulation of the economy and aid to farmers.