Well, I was a bit hesitant on this line. But to go back quite a ways, read Matthew Arnold (esp. perhaps Culture and Anarchy and Rugby Chapel).
And it is also worth noting that for at least 40 years "progress" and "progressive" have been favorite words of _botyh_ liberals and conservatives. The WSJ regularly labeled Reagan's plicies as as constituting progress. (Cf. the use of "reform" on the ritght.) The concept of history as linear is very close to the core of capitalist ideology.
Also, see the final speech by Herod in Auden's "Crhistmas Oratorio." The concluding words: "I'm a liberal. I want everyone to be happy. I wish I were dead."
Carrol