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Friday, July 25, 2008

Liberal or Libertarian, Conservative or Centrist? Take The World's Smallest Political Quiz And Find Out

Wondering where you stand politically, here's a quick, very short quiz on both personal and economic issues that might just surprise you. It doesn't tell you which of the 2008 presidential candidates you should vote for, but it does determine where in the political spectrum you happen to fit. My Dad, an avowed Democrat, discovered he's actually a conservative. Much to his consternation.

Run by Libertarians, Advocates for Self -Government also has a list of Libertarian celebrities, which I found rather interesting. I had assumed some of them were Republicans.

It also lists the differences between Liberals, Conservatives, Libertarians and Statists:

Right (Conservative) Conservatives tend to favor economic freedom, but frequently support laws to restrict personal behavior that violates "traditional values." They oppose excessive government control of business, while endorsing government action to defend morality and the traditional family structure. Conservatives usually support a strong military, oppose bureaucracy and high taxes, favor a free-market economy, and endorse strong law enforcement.

Left (Liberal) Liberals usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net"to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.

Libertarian Libertarians support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity,
tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.

Statist (Big Government) Statists want government to have a great deal of power over the economy and individual behavior. They frequently doubt whether economic liberty and individual freedom are practical options in today's world. Statists tend to distrust the free market, support high taxes and centralized planning of the economy, oppose diverse lifestyles, and question the importance of civil liberties.



Click here for the test.

17 comments:

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Centrist, that's who I am. Well..

Incognito said...

SNOOPY: Turns out I'm a centrist as well. On the chart am smack dab between conservative and libertarian.

Layla said...

I am a conservative. But at the end of the day I do what I believe is right and vote for the best person, not party. But I must admit - the only half decent nominees of late have been reps - but they are not conservative by the true meaning. LOL!

WomanHonorThyself said...

great breakdown!..hugs Incog!

Karen Townsend said...

I'm a centrist, too. No surprise there. Center/right. That's me. I'm putting it on my blog today - my brain is on vacation and it's fun.

MUD said...

I am in most cases a conservative but I do have one big slug in the arm that just gets most people mad. I personally hate the idea of abortion and would never recommend it but, I sure as hell don't want the government making that decision for a woman. MUD

Ottavio (Otto) Marasco said...

Thanks for that Incog, says I am a centrist ... Have you seen the "2008 SelectSmart Presidential Candidate Selector" it's at:

http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008.html

~Otto

Z said...

who knew we'd ever have to live in a world where people would even consider having "endorse government action to defend morality and the traditional family structure"?

thanks, Incognito...good stuff!

Incognito said...

LAYLA: I agree... if Obama was as closet Republican as many people seem to think he is, I'd vote for him, but he's not.

WOMAN: Back atcha, Angel.

KAREN: I figured i would be as well, but you and I are very similar. My sister came out, shockingly, centrist/Statist.

MUD: A lot of people feel that way, MUD. I don't condone it as a means of birth control, but we've discussed this before, if it's rape or incest, they should be able to.

AI: A centrist, eh? I think many of us are.. Yes I saw the selectsmart one. I came up McCain this time. I just started one but ended it when i had to enter my address etc. no thanks.

Z: It is interesting. Many things have changed these days. Some for better some for worse.

Righty64 said...

I'm stunned! According to this, I lean Libertarian. But, the dot is very close to conservative. These quizzes surprise me.

Pat Jenkins said...

i'm a communitst!! but i knew that... i kid.....

Danny Wright said...

Pat
I suspected this all along!

I of course was a dyed in the wool red state conservative!

Anonymous said...

I'm right smack bang in the middle of Conservative (absolutely). I lost my points on free trade and a national ID card, both of which I have my doubts about.

Anonymous said...

Nice to see how few real conservatives there are.

Incognito said...

RIGHTY: I think many people are surprised to discover where they stand. although it's not really an all-encompassing quiz.

PATJ: and a communist. :-)

DANNY: wow.. not many have.

AURORA: Well, it's better than some of us. I think a national ID card is a good idea. we get driver's licenses, why not an id card. :-)

ANON: Not sure where you're going with your comment so shall refrain from responding.

jon said...

Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.

Unless you disagree with them, then you have no rights to protect and you're not to be tolerated, nor do you deserve equal protection.

Incognito said...

JON: Yup, that's the irony.. they claim to promote free expression etc. but as I have experienced... they are far from being open and tolerant of those who disagree with them.