Political Spectrum

Where are you on the political spectrum?

We usually speak of individuals and political parties as though they lie somewhere along a straight-line scale from liberal on the left to conservative on the right. To some observers, this seems an overly limited scheme to describe a complex phenomenon.

A group of scholars have devised a more complex, two-dimensional scheme based on a Cartesian coordinate (x-y) scale. In this scheme, one dimension represents position on economic issues (left-right) and the other dimension represents position on social issues (authoritarian-libertarian).

If you want to know where you fit in a two-dimensional scale, check out the Political Compass web site: http://www.politicalcompass.org/

Where do you fit? Take the test. You may be surprised.

Then explore the site. You will see an analysis of where last year's US presidential candidates fit in the scheme and where certain foreign and historical figures come in.