Actually being progressive to get women's attention and tell them about how lucky they are that he's not like these other closed minded men can certainly be used to control a woman. I highly recommend reading "Why does he do that? Inside the mind of angry and controlling men" by Lundy Bancroft.

I had to admit that I had been controlling of my wife for years and didn't even realize I was doing it. Sometimes I try to cling to my old ideas and dismiss this stuff but I really can't.