What Political Leaning Are You?

I thought in light of the seeming fluctuation from left-leaning to right-leaning in America in the transition from Bush to Obama, and the overwhelming political mudslinging that has resulted, it would be interesting to truly see what political leaning ATS members are. I came across this test called

The Political Compass

Their website says of "The Political Compass":

There's abundant evidence for the need of it. The old one-dimensional categories of 'right' and 'left', established for the seating arrangement of the French National Assembly of 1789, are overly simplistic for today's complex political landscape. For example, who are the 'conservatives' in today's Russia? Are they the unreconstructed Stalinists, or the reformers who have adopted the right-wing views of conservatives like Margaret Thatcher ?

n the standard left-right scale, how do you distinguish leftists like Stalin and Gandhi? It's not sufficient to say that Stalin was simply more left than Gandhi. There are fundamental political differences between them that the old categories on their own can't explain. Similarly, we generally describe social reactionaries as 'right-wingers', yet that leaves left-wing reactionaries like Robert Mugabe and Pol Pot off the hook.

At the end of the questionnaire you'll be presented with a graph, the X and Y axis representing an economic scale and social scale, running from left to right and authoritarian to libertarian.

I got -8.25 on the economic scale, putting me firmly on the left, and -8.56 on the social scale, marking me as a libertarian. So, I guess I'm a leftist libertarian! Who knew those existed?




So what are you?




[edit on 26-10-2009 by Someone336]

I am socialist loving libertarian. I love the constitution, and think the government should be in existence solely to help the good of it's people.

Personal freedoms above all else in every respect.

Some people say this is not a compatible philosophy but I believe it is. The concept of left and right just creates lines that are used to divide us. I don't know anyone that toes a straight party line, and the moderates in our political system are just a way of saying, safe road, do nothings.

When I do believe something I support it regardless of party.

edit: I have to take a test to tell me?" Nevermind ignore my post, this whole thing smacks of effort.

[edit on 26-10-2009 by Seiko]

second edit for the test; Economic Left/Right: -7.62
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.33



[edit on 26-10-2009 by Seiko]

Economic Left/Right: -4.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.82

Is this bad?

I don't get it,

Some of the questions were iffy

Economic Left/Right: 5.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 1.49

I've taken the test before and that's about where I scored the first time. Once again, my closest match to a US politician: Hillary Clinton??? Well, I don't think so. I'll give them an A for effort, a D for accuracy, at least in my case.

Social Libertarian is opposite to Authoritarian...

I don't get it.

**Okay I see now

[edit on 26-10-2009 by silver tongue devil]

I took this a few days ago so I dont have the image link but I'm surprisingly centrist. I lean very slightly leaning towards a Leftist-Authoritarianism. Juat 1 grid space in that direction.

My first test taken;

Social Libertarian/ Authoritarian: 0.10 ?! huh?


I won't be bashful and tell you I didn't understand many of the questions, or how they were worded or phrased.

I don't pretend to be a political scholar though I do remember my Political Science class in college 30yrs ago. I just don't remember any of the discussions inside the classroom.

I don't think I took the test right, it said "your pure evil".

Then the test ran away crying, got some jam, and had tea.

Here's mine. Seems to be pretty accurate for me.

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -0.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.59

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4a05f18f975d.jpg[/atsimg]

Here are some examples to compare.....

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/53f9cb31f53b.jpg[/atsimg]

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/9152d0fee656.jpg[/atsimg]

Glad I'm closer to the Dalai Lama then to.....most world leaders

Edit typos/images

[edit on 10/27/2009 by JohnnyR]

[edit on 10/27/2009 by JohnnyR]

Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: -6.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.62

Guess I am a leftist libertarian as well

huh, close to Ghandi's mark, Thats nice, but I'm not going on any hunger strikes.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/feaca4e59bbd.png[/atsimg]

Lol I liked it. I kind of thought it was interesting. S+F

Hmm, I noticed they added a few questions since the last time I took this test. I believe it's been around for 5 or 6 years now, if I'm remembering correctly.

Regardless, I got basically the same score I always do:




I would imagine the majority of people would get similar scores, especially in the top-down respect.

It takes a special kind of sociopath to advocate authoritarianism...

Explanation: S&F!

In an attempt to get TPTB to target me better I provide full disclousre of all my answers and why!

The test goes over 6 webpages and asks the following....

Just a few propositions to start with, concerning - no less - how [I] see the country and the world.

If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations. SA [Pathos argument]

I'd always support my country, whether it was right or wrong. D [Ethos argument]

No one chooses his or her country of birth, so it's foolish to be proud of it. D [Pathos and Ethos argument]

Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other races. SD [Divisive argument..there is only one race and that is HUMAN!] :shk:

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. D [Is? NO..but could be. ]

Military action that defies international law is sometimes justified. SD [NO WAY! NOT EVER!]

There is now a worrying fusion of information and entertainment. D [Pathos argument]


Now, the economy. We're talking attitudes here, not the FTSE index.

People are ultimately divided more by class than by nationality.SA [Ethos argumant]

Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment.SD [Nope its all equally important...whats the importance? oh thats right..getting everything 100% correct the 1st time]!]

Because corporations cannot be trusted to voluntarily protect the environment, they require regulation. A [everything should 100% know all limits and totally abide by its defined limits]

"from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" is a fundamentally good idea. SD [both are victim mentalities]

It's a sad reflection on our society that something as basic as drinking water is now a bottled, branded consumer product. D [uhm..what about some choice as opposed to NONE!]

Land shouldn't be a commodity to be bought and sold. SA [its all OUR universe but maybe we shouldn't try and live constantly in each others shadow ok]

It is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society. SD [victim mentality]

Protectionism is sometimes necessary in trade. SD [victim mentality]

The only social responsibility of a company should be to deliver a profit to its shareholders. SD [replace its shareholders with everybody and then I'd strongly agree]

The rich are too highly taxed. SD [Everybody should be paying 100% tax regardless but in return everybodies luxuries and fixes should and MUST be 100% fullfilled always!]

Those with the ability to pay should have the right to higher standards of medical care . SD [creates a class system! Everybody should get the same care regardless..and that care should be of the highest standard always and everywhere]

Governments should penalise businesses that mislead the public. SA [Victim mentality I actually agree with... :shk:]

A genuine free market requires restrictions on the ability of predator multinationals to create monopolies. SD [restrictions equals free trade???? lolz pull the other one! :shk: ]

The freer the market, the freer the people. SD [No the fairer the market, the fairer the people! Free markets can lead to slavery for some]


Now a look at some of [my] personal social values …

Abortion, when the woman's life is not threatened, should always be illegal. SD [they use the word life here in regards to only the survival of the biological entity that is the woman and NOT HER WHOLE LIFE [style] into the far far future!]

All authority should be questioned. SA [sacred cows should be fully 100% Forthcoming and 100% transparent OK! and should never be immune from scrutiny by anyone at all, ever!]

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. SD [victim mentality]

Taxpayers should not be expected to prop up any theatres or museums that cannot survive on a commercial basis. SD [victim mentality on part of both parties]

Schools should not make classroom attendance compulsory. SD [Learn forever or Forever Leave existence! Existence is the school and your local envirnment is the classroom!]

All people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind. SD [divisive argument]

Good parents sometimes have to spank their children. SD [victim mentality]

It's natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents. SD [keeping secrets is not naturally moral! it has actuallity but that doesn't make it good or proper and thats should be the intent of this question]

Possessing marijuana for personal use should not be a criminal offence. SA [but if the word marijuana was replaced with human slaves then my answer would be radically different]

The prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to find jobs. SD [Nope it should equip them to rule the universe!]

People with serious inheritable disabilities should not be allowed to reproduce. SD [victim mentality]

The most important thing for children to learn is to accept discipline. SD [victim mentality]

There are no savage and civilised peoples; there are only different cultures. A [cultures? try demographics for a better and more accurate word semantics and syntax]

Those who are able to work, and refuse the opportunity, should not expect society's support. SD [victim menatality on part of non generous society]

When you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things. D [Face facts first but give yourself time to assess whilst beyond the realms of the pain in the ass]

First-generation immigrants can never be fully integrated within their new country. D [carteblanche ethos promotion or bashing]

What's good for the most successful corporations is always, ultimately, good for all of us. SD [incompatible A-priori desires and hungers]

No broadcasting institution, however independent its content, should receive public funding. D [how about some choice!]



… and how I see the wider society.

Our civil liberties are being excessively curbed in the name of counter-terrorism. SA [ARRGH 2nd victim mentality I actually agree with..WTH? ]

A significant advantage of a one-party state is that it avoids all the arguments that delay progress in a democratic political system. SA [Democracy means people are still arguing about the actually reality and a one state system [hive mind] doesn't have this problem]

Although the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried. SA [no sacred cows immune from scrutiny or from being 100% transparent..myself included ...see my signature!]

The death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes. SA [Option? serious crimes? ALWAYS and for ALL CRIMINALS including ME!!! Draw a line in the sand and defend it to the DEATH DAMNIT! MIGHT IS RIGHT!]

In a civilised society, one must always have people above to be obeyed and people below to be commanded. SA [But only if every single one only has 100% loyal obedience to the death of a minority portion [58%MAX] of the ALL [100%]]

Abstract art that doesn't represent anything shouldn't be considered art at all. SD [abstract art?...ALL art is an abstraction and therefor a representation! ]

In criminal justice, punishment should be more important than rehabilitation. SA [and SD!!! BOTH! Due to my attitude towards the death penalty being MORE a POV of rehabilitating the broader environment through the punishing the criminals, than an either or situation.]

It is a waste of time to try to rehabilitate some criminals. SA [and SD! Due to my attitude that both can be accomplished at exactly the same time!]


Cont. next post.

Cont. from above.

The businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist. SD [divisive argument]

Mothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers. SD [Mothers 1st duty is to be themselves and loyal to that! Just like everyone else!]

Multinational companies are unethically exploiting the plant genetic resources of developing countries. SA [Appeal to pathos thats totally supported by various logos [facts]]

Making peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity. SD [victim mentality]


[I] got through that okay, [to] find these propositions on religion a breeze.

Astrology accurately explains many things. SA [Personal experience!]

You cannot be moral without being religious. SD [Personal experience!]

Charity is better than social security as a means of helping the genuinely disadvantaged. SD [divisive argument over victim mentalities]

Some people are naturally unlucky. SA [Personal experience with both self and others! its not a mentality...its a reality!]

It is important that my child's school instills religious values. SD [I prefer universal morals instead! I dont need a god to do good! But see my disclaimer elsewhere about my theological POV and more!]


Finally, a look at sex.

Sex outside marriage is usually immoral. SD [marriage is a victim mentality]

A same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship, should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption. SA [An appeal to pathos concerning a certain demographics ethos and supported by logos.]

Pornography, depicting consenting adults, should be legal for the adult population. SA [No Prudes! its a victim mentality!]

What goes on in a private bedroom between consenting adults is no business of the state. SD [They could be consenting criminals commiting crimes! Consenting doesn't automatically mean Sex! No sacred cows immune from scrutiny!]

No one can feel naturally homosexual. SD [Personal experience!]

These days openness about sex has gone too far. D [scrutiny and transparence are good!]



My Political compass.

Economic Left/Right: -5.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.23

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/b9d75025f192.jpg[/atsimg]

Just as I have been telling my freinds and family all along now for years...I'm slighlty center left but probably a bit more Authoritarian than the test shows.!


NOTE if one was to take the test and answer Strongly Disagree to every question the political compass would read...

Economic Left/Right: 0.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.36

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/e65fbf8736f3.jpg[/atsimg]

P.S. Oh Seems ATS has at least a couple of Gandhi's! Anybody want to go on a salt march with me?

This has to be like the fifth thread for this test. Funny how it keeps coming up and collecting pages of replies but in so many other "political" threads the right/left crap continues to get thrown around like all holy gospel.

Anyway, when I took it in one of the older threads I was way low toward libertarian and slightly right. Very discouraging how completely empty that libertarian zone is. No wonder people have no idea what it means to be free.

I am none, i have strong left and right believes, and that has nothing to do with your mind. Everyone wants things that are left and right, its called duality. But like william cooper said, why choose to be one and label it forever, when you do not know, which person you may vote for and agree with in future.

I am sure there are lots of left people who like ron paul, and i am sure there are lots of right people, who like obama.

This left and right thing, is a waste of time for me. I just want to live my life in peace and quiet.

I know where i live, in london its a waste for me to even vote, as its pretty racist towards whites in our area. SO whats the point of me voting, in teh local elections.

I just want to live my life, with out all this left and right and stuff.

I'm definitely a left leaning libertarian along with Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and the Dali Lama.

This quiz mentions nothing about the global warming hoax and whether or not you "believe". I'm pretty much as left as you can get on all issues except that one. Global warming is a fraud. Any thinking left leaning person who has bought this lie obviously is simply following along like a sheep.

I've taken this before, too.

Economic Left/Right: -5.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.56

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/c4592c67cb19.png[/atsimg]

Hmm, never would have guessed that about myself. Are you sure this test is accurate?

I rank somewhere between Thatcher and Hitler. Hmmm

reply to post by drwizardphd

It takes a special kind of sociopath to advocate authoritarianism...

and I thank you.

[edit on 10/27/2009 by whatukno]

reply to post by whatukno


Did you try to get that score....but hey you're in good company...