The Study of Racialism

kpauljohnson

I have been a member here for more than a year but have generally avoided political discussions because of the vitriol and blame regularly directed at all "liberals" and the near-total silence re: any criticism of the Bush/Cheney regime. It is very difficult however to gauge the overall political attitudes of various individual posters, particularly since left/right is so simplistic as a way of describing them. Here's a more subtle fourfold typology and questionnaire:

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

Since I find it hard to tell quite where various members are "coming from" politically, it would be helpful to know how folks come out on this test.
I came out in the middle of the lower left, moderately leftist and moderately libertarian. Right between the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela Smile

From much of the discourse here I would think that the center of gravity is way to the right but perhaps not very authoritarian. However, that's based on a very small sample and only occasional lurking in this part of the site.

I'd be interested in knowing what people think of the test and their own scores. It would sure help me understand who I can discuss politics with (or how to do so) without getting into pointless arguments, which is the last thing I want to spend time doing.

OTHER · Posted: Wed 27 Aug 2008 21:13 Post subject:

I took the Political Compass test about a year ago. I had started a thread over at mulatto.org on this subject. The test seems to give you a good ballpark of a person's political stance. I'm assuming my results today would be the same as that of a year ago. Here are my results:

Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: 4.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.62

This put me in the lower right quadrant of the graph. I can't seem to post the graph in here. I am smack dab in the middle of center and right and I am a few steps closer to Libertarian on the Authoritarian/Libertarian axis. The only famous person on their sample graphs that I am anywhere near is Friedman, who I am assuming is Milton Friedman, which sounds about right. Very Happy

I'd like as much individual liberty without anarchy as possible, thank you kindly! Cool

Richard Miller · Posted: Wed 27 Aug 2008 22:03 Post subject:

Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: -5.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.03

I'm closest to... Ghandi? No way in hell.

kpauljohnson

After posting on the test, I found this page which is very interesting. It shows that from an international perspective, there is just not that much difference between Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Richardson, and yes even McCain:

http://politicalcompass.org/usprimaries2008

PS-- my scores were -6.88 economic, -6.21 social

OTHER

G-Man · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2608 }

My Political Compass:

Economic Left/Right: 0.62
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.26

I too am closer to Milton Friedman as well, which seems about right, though I find myself becoming less libertarian in the realm of economic affairs. I'm in the upper left hand corner of the lower right quadrant, similar to the position held by the Liberal Democrats of Great Britain in 1909.

I had problems with some of the questions. I don't believe some could be anwered accurately with the choices provided.

onlyhuman77 · Posted: Thu 28 Aug 2008 20:17 Post subject:

My Economic Left/Right: -9.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -8.15

I'm not too surprised with the results

fwsweet · Posted: Thu 28 Aug 2008 23:40 Post subject:

Economic: -1.75
Social: -4.56

Melani23 · Superuser Joined: 30 Aug 2005 {Posts: 1069 } Location: USA

Some of those questions are not so cut and dry. Anyways, here's my score:

Economic Left/Right: -0.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.62

Almost dead center of the bulls eye, LOL! Laughing

DucorpsToo · Posted: Fri 29 Aug 2008 14:10 Post subject:

I'll agree with Melani that indeed some of those questions don't have clear cut answers, as it might depend entirely upon the circumstances under which they are presented. But, FWIW:

Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: -0.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.59

That puts me in the lower-left quadrant...yet still somewhat close to center.

kpauljohnson · Posted: Sun 31 Aug 2008 17:27 Post subject: Bob Barr voter? (reply to OTHER)

One of the interesting factors in this test is that once Kucinich, whom I never took very seriously, was out, the choice between Edwards, Clinton, and Obama was more cosmetic than philosophical and no Democrat would really fit my views. Your results:
Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: 4.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.62
suggest that you might fit the Libertarian Party better than the Republicans. And mine suggest a better fit with the Greens than the Democrats. As for Barr and McKinney-- I like Cynthia and share her position that I can't call myself a Democrat anymore because of their complicity/unwillingness to impeach. But my #1 objection to McCain-- too impetuous, hotheaded, unstable, extremist to have his finger on the button-- rules out McKinney as well. How does Barr sit with you as an a plausible Libertarian option?

sagascend · Moderator Joined: 17 Jun 2006 {Posts: 2087 }

Economic Left/Right: -4.50
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.64

My scores should come as a surprise to no one. Laughing

I think their collectivism measure is off though. For lower quadrant residents the key themes of individualism and anti-authoritarianism do not necessarily lend themselves to supporting collectivist ideals as they are defined in the test. To me the collectivist bent reflects the skepticism towards corporations (and, therefore, appeal of regulation as a check against corporate "self-interest" and corruption) rather than an inherent belief in the superiority of central government. At least that what the questions indicated to me.

OTHER · Posted: Wed 03 Sep 2008 12:26 Post subject:

Why, Maya, I thought you'd be much closer to the center. teehee Wink

Good to "see" you!