The Nolan Political Graph and My version of it.

I am just putting this thread up for people to use as a look into their own political views.

Here is the wikipedia link to the description of the Nolan Chart-Nolan Chart

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/b9dedec36d97.png[/atsimg]


Now here is a version I created that describes it a little better and also provides a better format-

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/6c609ebf597d.jpg[/atsimg]

Now a picture where my position is located-

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/802d0f01b66b.jpg[/atsimg]


Now from the creator of the Nolan Chart they have a questionnaire to see where you are in regards to the political field. Now, it is only 10 questions and it may be skewed to put you toward the Libertarian field, but let us know where you are if you want.

Nolan Chart Survey

I just took it and here is my result from the survey.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/6938c8d2507b.jpg[/atsimg]

[edit on 3/12/2010 by endisnighe]

I always thought of myself as more of a liberal, but on this test I came out as solidly centrist. I guess this just means I'm politically confused and have no well-thought-out philosophy of life.

Is that good or bad or normal?

reply to post by Jumbles


I think it is normal. Trying to determine your political position by only a 10 question test cannot be too accurate.

But, the majority of people will fall into the centrist category.

Centrists believe the gov should have about a half and half involvement in our lives, both economically and freedom wise.

It is hard to measure people in the middle. You believe you would give up some freedoms for security. Like taxation, you probably think it is a good idea to pool everyone's money to provide certain things. Also, you probably feel some invasion of privacy is necessary for our countries security, or yours, wherever you are.

edit to ask, were you closer to the top or the bottom, also were you closer to the left or the right?

[edit on 3/12/2010 by endisnighe]

My results showed me to be a solid Statist. About what I expected. I would guess that I'm a very small minority on ATS, with the exception of of the false-flag members posing as libertarians to monitor postings.

Strongly libertarian, but leaning somewhat toward the conservative side. I can't say that its a surprise at all, although a ten question test probably oversimplifies a bit and might be pushing the results toward the libertarian side to some extent.

reply to post by Office 4256


Explain your use of False Flag operatives. False Flag is when an operation is used to incriminate an enemy, by doing it yourself and blaming it on the enemy.

It seems you are using the wrong terminology, or just trying something that I do not know what it is.

Please clarify.

reply to post by vor78


Yes, the pushing towards the libertarian side is what I thought also.

Of course, if I was anymore libertarian, I would be an Anarchist.

That is why I modified the Nolan Chart the way I did. I know their are Libertarians that lean way to the left on the economics scale. But are way to the top on the personal freedoms scale. I eliminated the points of the original to better illustrate that point.

Thanks for the comment.

Originally posted by Office 4256
My results showed me to be a solid Statist. About what I expected. I would guess that I'm a very small minority on ATS, with the exception of of the false-flag members posing as libertarians to monitor postings.

I'm with you in that Minority. Like you, my views are quite contrary to those of the "standard" ATSer. So my friend, do not feel alone on these boards!

reply to post by endisnighe


I was at the very top as high as you can go. I guess I'm a hard-core libertarian.



[edit on 3/13/10 by Misoir]

reply to post by endisnighe


I was more toward the top and I think slightly toward the left, within my centrist results. I don't remember for sure because I took the test last night.

reply to post by For(Home)Country


Were you right at the tip of the statist component? Where exactly did your star end up?

reply to post by Misoir


Misoir, I would have thought you would have been to the left hand side of the Libertarian component, with your economic leanings. Maybe I misinterpreted some of your views or the test is meant to push people up. But of course two people here, have already said they went to the part they thought they were at, more statist.

Oh well, like I said, these tests are too narrow to get a full view of our leanings.

What did you think of the modification I made to the Nolan Chart? Does it make more sense the way I laid it out or easier to understand anyway?

reply to post by Jumbles


Do you feel you lean more liberal on economic issues? On personal freedom issues, do you feel that some personal liberties must be given up for security? I am just trying to find out how accurate this test is compared to others.

reply to post by endisnighe


Hey, actually after taking the test, I was in the centre of liberal, but leaning down towards statism. However, I'm not American and there are only 10 questions, so many of the options for the answers did not wholly reflect my views.

I'll admit that I find it increasingly hard these days to properly select a political affiliation as there are many valuable ideologies available at all sides of the spectrum.
However, I find the Political Compass to be a much more accurate questionnaire!

reply to post by endisnighe


I took the test twice because it was obviously meant to influence your opinions. The second time I took the test I was at the very top left. The only question I answered non-libertarian is that corporate welfare question, I said that they should not give money to big business but should help people with the basics.

I liked your new chart, I just don't like the idea I might be considered an Anarchist.

reply to post by For(Home)Country


Now, that test kind of pissed me off a little bit. There were questions on their that were totally leading and some that I could not agree or disagree with, but you are not allowed to skip them.

But here is my score on that one.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/311734e0e17d.jpg[/atsimg]

reply to post by Misoir


Well, to be any of the Anarchist, Socialist, Total Free Marketist, or Totalitarian you would have to be totally outside the box.

Like totalitarian, you would have to be Stalin.

You know the closest any society that I can think of to Anarchist would be the Native Americans. Self sustaining communities that did not usually have any hierarchy besides a leader, tribal counsel and maybe shamans. As far as I know anyway.

reply to post by endisnighe

Economically, I think socialism is a probable cure for the excesses of greed that capitalism brings. I'd like to see everyone start from a level playing field with all basic (and I mean very basic) needs met, then be given equal opportunities to compete fairly and be rewarded commensurate with demonstrated ability--although I have few practical ideas on how to make that happen.

With regard to personal freedoms, I guess I think that the 90% of us who are good need to be protected from the 10% of us who are bad--so giving up some personal liberty is necessary; however, I think the current climate has gone too far toward restricting individual liberties.

reply to post by Jumbles


That is where "I" think you would be wrong. Who is to enforce the equality?

It always ends up the same in any system. The evil and tyrannical end up in power. They are the only ones that want it, the power I mean. That is why the US system was set up the way it was. The ultimate power to be in the hands of the citizens, not the government. Of course they (elite power freaks) have systematically removed our power and installed the power to the government for the "supposed" protection of us. How is that working out for us?

But with capitalism/free market systems, the average person is on an even playing field with the powerful.

Our system in the US has become a fascist/socialist/corporatist hybrid system. I believe the invention of corporations was the endgame of the elitists. The ability to own something in perpetuity is NOT a capitalist/free market ideal.

I feel the capitalist system is still the best system developed yet. Yes, a perfect socialist system would be nice, but inherently instituted by man, ends quicker than anything else in a tyranny.

Sorry, until man can be trusted, socialism will never be a fair and equitable system.

My opinion of course, you can believe in the higher ethics of those that want that type of system. But I will trust history and the obvious observations of existing systems in place now.

Now, for your view on the personal freedom side, I do believe that we have gone WAY TOO far. The one that really pisses me off is the implementation of laws to protect me from me. I of course believe in the doctrine of do unto others as they would do unto you. Meaning of course, if you are nice to me, I will be nice to you, if you try to hurt me, meet your maker.

My Libertarian doctrine, the only crime is if you hurt another or if you infringe on their rights of life, liberty or property.

Thanks for the discussion.

reply to post by endisnighe

As I said, I have few practical suggestions on how to make my concept of "socialistic capitalism" work. I will say that socialism (not communism) seems to work well in many European countries.

I find it hard to find truth in your statement that "with capitalism/free market systems the average person is on a level playing field with the powerful". Could you please elaborate? (And what about the handicapped person?)

You say "The invention of corporations was the endgame of the elitists." Possibly true, and probably the world would be better off without corporations (although what would rise to replace them?). But I don't see how corporations relate to the Nolan schema; I presume they, or something similar, would exist in all the systems.

You say "The ability to own something in perpetuity is not a capitalistic/free market ideal." I'm not sure how this is relevant. Once you buy something, you own it forever, in all the systems I'm familiar with.

My main problems with both the libertarian and the capitalistic ideals is that they do not address either (1) inherent inequities in individual talents that affect people's ability to compete on a level playing field, or (2) the need to protect our environment from pollution and exploitation.

I guess I just don't believe that man is inherently greedy and will necessarily sink to the lowest level. I think there have been numerous societies in history which have valued fairness and wisdom over materialism and power. (True, most of them have been small compared to the current population of the US.)

Just some thoughts... I'm not skilled at political debate, this is something new I'm trying--as I have said, my political philosophy is pretty incoherent.

Your answers suggest that you are a centrist liberal.

Centrist?! What?

I prefer the test in my signature, it takes a greater scope of...what's the word? Affiliation?

Originally posted by links234

Your answers suggest that you are a centrist liberal.

Centrist?! What?

I prefer the test in my signature, it takes a greater scope of...what's the word? Affiliation?

I do not know where you got your quote from, the only quote that shows up on my Firefox search is yours. I am not taking anymore tests to try and convince me of my positions. I know my positions, do you know yours?

Where would you be on the Dalton Chart? It is one of the better layouts, but I think my version to be a little more accurate and easier to understand.

Thanks for your comment.

reply to post by endisnighe


The quote was from the result I got from your test. I don't know what the 'Dalton chart' is. Why I prefer the matrix is because it seperates ideologies: Political Ideologies

I know where I stand. I'm sure you do too.