It seems to me that progressivism views people as essentially good in that it asserts that we can attain utopia merely by doing things correctly. That is, progressives think ultimate human potential is good and that this potential can be reached through human efforts alone.
Well, of course. That's the way most FAITHS view people. Human POTENTIAL can always POSSIBLY be good, since we ALL have choice. That is simple logic.
But, if human effort alone is all that is needed, then they are atheists. All faiths require an Almighty's "grace" or blessings, or whatever. I can't think of a faith where people can "go it alone."