Where do you fall on the political compass?

Pretty close to the Dalai Lama that is cool with me.

a reply to: Aazadan

Well mine came out to be

Economic Left/Right: -5.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.51

a reply to: Aazadan

Would just like to chime in that the test itself is designed like a fork in the road...so the "results" aren't even close to "real"...your going to get the same quality data that you would get if you reduced the color spectrum to red and blue...

the test itself is silly because it funnels you into answer questions in a black or white fashion.

So the results this test and ones designed like it...are a really crappy method of understanding that which is being tested...at best it gives you a two tone static view of a multicolored dynamic thing...

I usually fall into the libertarian perspective...but this test would like to throw me in a different category simply because of the questions it decided to ask.

something to think about when you take these ridiculous things...

Economic Left/Right: -7.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.92

originally posted by: xuenchen
The questions are "Progressively" skewed and tainted.

Excellent tools for creating Cognitive Dissonance and Hegelian Dialectics.

The test is owned and is run by some UK right wingers. It's not about telling people they identify with Democrats, they don't even use the word Democrat (or reference any political party for that matter) in the test.

originally posted by: xuenchen
Or,

It's designed to make gullible people believe what they are "told to think" is true.

The general MSM is slanted and skived.

Or maybe it's the exact opposite. They place Mitt Romney and Barack Obama at nearly the same place in the test, both very far to the right of where they place Reagan. Perhaps those in power aren't really as far to the extremes that they're portrayed as and that's just the result of having a two party system in which it becomes important to create the illusion of having two diametrically opposed extremes.

originally posted by: Sly1one
a reply to: Aazadan

Would just like to chime in that the test itself is designed like a fork in the road...so the "results" aren't even close to "real"...your going to get the same quality data that you would get if you reduced the color spectrum to red and blue...

the test itself is silly because it funnels you into answer questions in a black or white fashion.

It's supposed to. What the test is trying to find out is your position on the outcome not on the various solutions. For example you could have a test question that says "The government should ensure that all citizens have access to health care". This would be an authoritarian/liberalism question, the details such as a health savings account vs Obamacare aren't relevant, instead it's a question of a greater power making things happen vs people being free. You can think of the up down as fascism vs anarchy (structure vs a lack of it) while left/right is communism vs aristocracy (equality vs class tiers). Another example would be "Schools should take measures to prevent active shooter situations". The question is about the result, not the method you take to get there.

Remember, you're not trying to identify with a party here. As I've pointed out several times Obama and Romney the respective leaders of their parties in 2012 were very close to each other yet they were presumably distinct parties. A particular party isn't identified by it's place on the grid. The first example that jumps to my mind would be the Republicans which have the Tea Party who are very right/authoritarian but then you also have the Ron Pauls who are very much to the right but are instead far down towards the libertarian side of things.

a reply to: Aazadan

The test is owned and is run by some UK right wingers. It's not about telling people they identify with Democrats, they don't even use the word Democrat (or reference any political party for that matter) in the test.

Where did I mention Democrats or any political party?

Cognitive Dissonance and Hegelian Dialectics confirmed I now see.

a reply to: WhiteAlice

Oh I agree entirely.

My family is European conservative. The family in the states is American conservative (mostly). The endless back and forth revealed to me that we are just liberals in the states to varying degrees. We are all conservative on issues we find relevant but as those issues change with the times, our stance on them changes to reflect the new reality we are faced with.

I guess we dont like Authoritarian stances but understand them in the states. In Europe we see authoritarian stances as being necessary since the nature of life there demands a heavy hand on certain issues while allowing a live and let live mentality for others that regulate themselves.

Where I think we all find common ground is to not fix what is not broken. If you can let people do what they will since they are mindful of the consequences and effect of their actions then do so. Its preferable to regulation. If they are not capable of self regulation because XYZ then do what you know is right and to hell with the idiots. LOL

I love small government, personal freedoms and responsibility and when people mind their own business. I prefer a natural form of governance with less official responses and more personal endeavors for improvement where that particular leader or representative sees fit. I loath huge agendas and massive social programs that just create oceans of BS for every Island of problems.

There have been exceptions to this in my family though, both here and there.

During the Spanish civil war my uncle fought with the communists. The rest of the family were and are supporters of Franco. My eldest sister in the sates is an ULTRA liberal. The other is slightly left of center but very much an authoritarian.

I think its normal for this to happen. I am fully prepared for my daughter or my son to become an ultra liberal and for the other to follow suit with me and the rest of the family. IMO thats a healthy home.

I think its necessary for every side to be represented no matter the political system or society. If the other side is not represented SOMEONE will stand to be counted in their defense. If the US did not exist then some place in Europe would behave like us. LOL. The west is enjoying a good run BECAUSE we allow for all sides to be represented.

While the definitions of "Conservative" change from the US to Europe the main drive is the same. The reality of the populace and the governments response to them is where we divert from that common core. In the US we have learned to bank on the people. Less so as this grand social experiment has run its course in the US in the last decades. In Europe the time tested system of having certain experts exist for the resolution of societies downfalls is supreme.

I liked the way my aunt put it. We are cowboys in the US. That we are wild and wing things as the herd defines our course. In Europe they are farmers and they reap what they sow. They are at the mercy of (human) nature save for the knowledge in choosing their crops (political endeavors) wisely.

In the US we just deal with political seasons as they come and go with little difference between those we are ready for and those that catch us by surprise. In Europe they deal with the political seasons they are prepared for and hunker down for the ones they are not. There are no surprises there.

LOL

a reply to: Witness2008

Ditto.

I like to think of myself somewhere in the middle. I can't simply be defined by "left" or "right". There's some things I'll agree with on both parties, and much more I disagree with. In fact, I doubt either side would want me. I don't have enough in common with either.

I didn't take the test. I read the responses first and decided I didn't want my views messed with...even if mis-defined by modern relabeling.

I had a thought a couple of minutes later and would like to ask a couple of questions.

First, what about the value factor of each question? What if I put a far higher value/priority on a specific issue rather than general questions?

What if my overriding issue is 'state rights' and freedom from federal imposition. From gay marriage and abortions all the way to socialized medicine?

Where would that put me? Can anyone spare a dart?

It nailed me dead on. It does a good job representing historic leaders and politicians. It does a good job representing the members I've seen on here.

The test seems pretty solid to me. The fact that most people end up more progressive then they thought is less a rigging of the rest and more representative of how progressive most people are, in America at least.

I wish Xuenchen would take it. I'd be curious to see where he/she lands

For the record I'm the farthest left and libertarian on anyone on here that submitted results. I'm not surprised. My philosophy is all about letting people live their lives as much as possible but I'm all for progressive ideals like environmental protection and human rights.

Economic Left/Right: -8.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.18

originally posted by: xuenchen
Where did I mention Democrats or any political party?

Cognitive Dissonance and Hegelian Dialectics confirmed I now see.

Your post said that the questions were progressively tainted which they weren't. If a question pushes a progressive ideal then you say you disagree with it, if you actually disagree with the result.

originally posted by: nwtrucker
What if my overriding issue is 'state rights' and freedom from federal imposition. From gay marriage and abortions all the way to socialized medicine?

Where would that put me? Can anyone spare a dart?

States rights isn't an answer to the question, it's merely limiting who votes to a subsection. You might not care about what the other 49 states do but you're still going to have an opinion on what your state does.

And how is taking a test to see where you stand messing with your views?

a reply to: Aazadan

It was a knee-jerk post on my part. Not particularly well thought out..LOL.

You raise a good point. No matter what level of gov't, choices need to be made.

I suppose in a way this proves most think in freedoms. Just different ones stressed or considered important? That make any sense?

My view of a 'conservative' - I speak for no one else- is a balance between 'freedom' and rules. Perhaps the freedom within the framework of those rules is a better way of saying it.

For example, I view the EPA as having run amok. Literally insane. Yet, I wouldn't go the 'Libertarian' route and rubber stamp it into non-existence because it violates the 10th. I also don't want free rein by corporations to run completely unfettered in the name of stock options gained due to a great quarterly report, profit-wise.

Therefore balance. An agency with the responsibility of environmental over-site with a very clear cut mandate in accord with business survival...and plenty of over-site watching them...LOL.

Back to the state 'issue'. it allows those with different views in different states do their own thing. Unfettered by my views. If one wants to marry a billy-goat, well whatever floats your boat. Just don't impose it on me or mine.

All that said, I view myself as a conservative and am not interested in anyone else's value system in evaluation of it.

If it walks like a duck, squats like a duck, it's probably an anatidae? Sorry. I pass.

Mine seemed pretty accurate. Left libertarian .. It was almost the same as the Dalai lama lol


Economic Left/Right: -2.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.64

In my opinion the up down scale is incorrect it should read "statist" at the top and "anarchistic" at the bottom.
Not only is it more accurate, but two other imortant reasons - authoritarian is a negatively loaded word and used to describe say a government that is dictatorial and undemocratic.
Also almost everybody in the US these days thinks they are a libertarian - it is seen as a positive word in the US mindset. I feel like anybody who takes this test more than once will conciously or not ansnwer the questions to be more libertarian and to be less authoritarian.
There are also people that say that the test is pro libertarian.

originally posted by: freethinker123
In my opinion the up down scale is incorrect it should read "statist" at the top and "anarchistic" at the bottom.
Not only is it more accurate, but two other imortant reasons - authoritarian is a negatively loaded word and used to describe say a government that is dictatorial and undemocratic.
Also almost everybody in the US these days thinks they are a libertarian - it is seen as a positive word in the US mindset. I feel like anybody who takes this test more than once will conciously or not ansnwer the questions to be more libertarian and to be less authoritarian.
There are also people that say that the test is pro libertarian.

Anarchistic is negatively loaded too. I guess you're biased too . I definitely don't believe in anarchy but by your definition I'm an anarchist.

It misses the big issue...democracy.

I'm a fervent democrat (small 'd').

Which means I support democracy as far as one can logically and logistically take it in modern politics.

I guess that would mean, 'if more than 50% of the people want it, that's the law'.

The casual dismissal of what the people want is the key issue in politics (but then it probably always has been).

So what I personally want is irrelevant if it isn't endorsed by the majority.

Economic Left/Right: -4.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.85

as Flava Flav would say... yeaaaahhhh boiiiii

Disappointed though I'm not up there with Stalin

a reply to: Kali74

Maybe we should marry..

Maybe not - we're too similar

That was kind of a neat test.

Some of the questions were weird...lol

Economic Left/Right: -2.62
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.51



Yeah, that does seem to fit around the area I would figure it would.