Homegrown progressivism

A brief reflection on progressives in Italy. First of all, the name. I call them that for lack of a better term: "left", just like "right", now makes anyone who pronounces them sound pathetic.
Their problem, because it is evident that for some years now they have had a problem, is partly one of identity and partly of approach.
In a world where the old proletarian and working class no longer exists, by their very nature they have had to identify new battles, new vulnerable people whose rights must be defended.
This is the source of the first problem, because these groups whose defense they have taken up are heterogeneous, with demands that are often in opposition to one another (for example, gender minorities and immigrants coming from places with an extremely traditionalist and often bigoted cultural background), opposed even by their historical voters.
Actually, I even agree with some of their positions. First of all because they are often anti-populist, and that in itself is a merit.
Instead, I disagree with the method they adopt. And this is where the second of the problems I mentioned comes into play.
You cannot force visions onto society that, however right they may be, are nonetheless revolutionary compared to ancient and deeply rooted ways of thinking. People must be guided toward modernity with humility, understanding, and easy-to-grasp explanations. They must not be insulted, despised, looked down upon, and made to feel backward just because they are hesitant in the face of change. Even where change is necessary or even inevitable.
I read some reactions from prominent Venetian intellectuals and artists to the victory of the "right-wing" mayoral candidate. Arrogant rants, contempt for the rabble, lack of interest in the problems of ordinary people by those who do not realize they do not have the same problems as those people, not because they have a better view of the world, but simply because they are privileged, and believe that privilege will last forever.
This won't do. If this is their communication style, or rather their very code of conduct, they will end up becoming increasingly detached from an electorate that struggles to understand what they are talking about. Even when they are actually trying to get a fair message across.

This post was machine-translated from Italian.