I think using “progressive” is good, not only because it is historically accurate, but because it is a word that is not as easily dismissed as “leftist.”
The progressives in the US were statists even before the creation of the Communist states. For a progressive, everything depends on the state (which is run by an expert elite) and its power to determine and dictate behavior, and the individual is basically regarded as a dangerous nuisance. This extends to every aspect of life.
US progressives saw the state enforcing this through positive rewards (i.e., cradle to grave welfare for those who comply) but when that doesn’t work, there is always the threat of coercion for our own good.
A fellow FReeper uses the term “progressivik”. I rather like it....