Understanding the Political Spectrum

This educational section provides information about different political ideologies, the history of the political spectrum, and how to interpret your test results.

The Four-Dimensional Political Spectrum

The Four Axes Explained

Economic Axis

The economic axis measures views on economic systems and policies, from state control to free markets.

Left (Equality)

Those with left-leaning economic views typically support:

  • Progressive taxation
  • Wealth redistribution
  • Public services and welfare
  • Economic regulations
  • Worker protections

At the far left are ideologies like communism and socialism that advocate for collective ownership of the means of production.

Right (Markets)

Those with right-leaning economic views typically support:

  • Free markets
  • Private property rights
  • Lower taxation
  • Minimal economic regulation
  • Individual economic responsibility

At the far right are ideologies like laissez-faire capitalism that advocate for minimal government intervention in the economy.

Social Axis

The social axis measures views on personal freedom versus social control, from authoritarian to libertarian.

Authoritarian

Those with authoritarian social views typically support:

  • Strong government authority
  • Law and order policies
  • Social conformity
  • Restrictions on certain behaviors
  • National security over civil liberties

At the extreme authoritarian end are ideologies that advocate for strict state control over individual behavior.

Libertarian

Those with libertarian social views typically support:

  • Civil liberties
  • Personal freedom
  • Individual autonomy
  • Privacy rights
  • Limited government intervention in personal matters

At the extreme libertarian end are ideologies that advocate for minimal state control over individual behavior.

Diplomatic Axis

The diplomatic axis measures views on international relations, from nationalist to globalist.

Nation

Those with nationalist diplomatic views typically support:

  • National sovereignty
  • Patriotism
  • Self-sufficient economy
  • Strong borders
  • Prioritizing national interests

At the extreme nationalist end are ideologies that advocate for complete national independence and self-sufficiency.

Globe

Those with globalist diplomatic views typically support:

  • International cooperation
  • Global governance
  • Free trade
  • Open borders
  • Multilateral solutions to global problems

At the extreme globalist end are ideologies that advocate for world government and dissolution of national boundaries.

Societal Axis

The societal axis measures views on social change and cultural values, from traditional to progressive.

Tradition

Those with traditional societal views typically support:

  • Preservation of established customs
  • Religious values in public life
  • Conventional social structures
  • Cultural continuity
  • Skepticism toward rapid social change

At the extreme traditional end are ideologies that advocate for returning to historical social arrangements.

Progress

Those with progressive societal views typically support:

  • Social reform
  • Secularism
  • Cultural evolution
  • Scientific advancement
  • Embracing social change

At the extreme progressive end are ideologies that advocate for radical transformation of social institutions.

Common Political Ideologies

Below are brief descriptions of various political ideologies and where they typically fall on the political spectrum.

Liberalism

Typically supports individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and some degree of regulated capitalism.

Typical position: Center to center-left economically, libertarian socially, moderate to globalist diplomatically, moderate to progressive societally.

Conservatism

Typically supports traditional values, free markets, limited government, and national sovereignty.

Typical position: Center-right to right economically, moderate socially, nationalist diplomatically, traditional societally.

Socialism

Typically supports collective or state ownership of the means of production, economic planning, and social equality.

Typical position: Left economically, varies socially (can be authoritarian or libertarian), varies diplomatically, typically progressive societally.

Libertarianism

Typically supports maximizing individual liberty, minimal government, free markets, and civil liberties.

Typical position: Right economically, libertarian socially, varies diplomatically, varies societally.

Fascism

Typically supports authoritarian ultranationalism, centralized authority, militarism, and opposition to liberalism and communism.

Typical position: Center to right economically (with heavy state involvement), authoritarian socially, strongly nationalist diplomatically, traditional societally.

Communism

Typically supports common ownership of the means of production, absence of social classes, and the withering away of the state.

Typical position: Far left economically, historically authoritarian in practice, varies diplomatically, progressive societally.

Social Democracy

Typically supports political democracy alongside policies for social justice within a capitalist economy.

Typical position: Center-left economically, moderate to libertarian socially, moderate to globalist diplomatically, progressive societally.

Green Politics

Typically supports environmentalism, social justice, grassroots democracy, and nonviolence.

Typical position: Center-left to left economically, libertarian socially, globalist diplomatically, progressive societally.