Comments on: A Better Political Spectrum

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 17 Dec 2005 17:36:55 +0000

The political systems spectrum should run from anarchy on one extreme to totalitarian on the opposite extreme with democracy between those two. A political system is defined as “the means by which authoritative decisions are made.” In a state of anarchy there is no means of making authoritative decisions(or, they can’t be enforced). In a totalitarian system there is: 1) one person(or a small group) making authorative decisions 2) terroristic police control 3) in many cases, an official ideology. In a democratic political system: 1) majority rules through open procedures 2) the minority has certain inalienable rights(freedoms such as: freedom of expression, freedom of religion, life, freedom of beliefs, fair public trials, privacy, freedom of movement and possibly others).
The individualism label is a bias of the classical liberal ideology(private ownership of property,individualism, competitive, limited government). It is possible to have individualism on one extreme of a spectrum related to anthropological precepts(with collectivism at the opposite end).
BTW, here in the US, the classical liberal ideology is so dominent that we don’t know we have an ideology of classical liberalism. Instead we think of our values as being “human nature”, the “truth”, the “only way”, and the way “God intended”.

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 17:15:40 +0000

Paul, the economic axis extreme that I labeled socialism could be restated as "The means of production and welfare of the individual is 100% controlled, and provided for, by the collective group". The extreme opposite of capitalism is socialism, whether it is a government or kibbutz doesn't matter. As for Hitler, he goes slightly to the left. He ultimately wanted government in charge of what the corporations did. He, Benito Mussolini and Franklin Roosevelt, in fact, had remarkably similiar economic approaches, policies and views. See this post for some insight into it. If you place FDR slightly to the left of center economically, then you have to do the same with Hitler. Bear in mind, of course, that I'm extending the spectrum on economics far beyond the very narrow band occupied in American politics also.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 10:57:17 +0000

Interestingly, I notice that Political Compass puts Hitler slightly to the right of centre on the economic scale, whereas you place him slightly to the left. From my limited knowledge, I would have thought that the right would be his appropriate place – despite being called the “National Socialists” I seem to remember that Hitler’s economic policies were broadly Keynesian, that is state-sponsored capitalism. While hostile to big-business, I don’t think (again, could be wrong) that Hitler was actually particularly hostile to capitalism itself.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 10:49:31 +0000

This idea is also explored through a questionaire on the website politicalcompass.org Libertarians are certainly a good example of the inadequacies of the traditional left/right line…

I have to say that in this context, your definition of socialism as “The government controls the means of production and provides 100% for the welfare of the citizens” seems a bit problematic. Surely the concept up ‘government’ is one that properly belongs on the y axis? An example would be a left-wing anarchist, hardly committed to capitalism, but equally hostile to governments. Just a thought….

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 17:36:29 +0000

John Kerry is mildly less authoritarian than George Bush. But quite a bit more socialist.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 17:33:04 +0000

I notice one thing, if I’m reading your chart right, John Kerry is closer to our political beliefs than George W. Bush.

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 16:27:04 +0000

How much of that, especially the budgets, is due to Congress, rather than Bush? I actually think, economically, he should just be stuck where the current Congress is, since he appears to just float with them.

By: Francois Tremblay

Francois Tremblay — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 16:22:17 +0000

Although I like your chart, I think you were way too generous with George Bush. He should be much more to the left than you put him, especially with his support of high tariffs, incredibly inflating budgets, and subsidies to “faith-based” charities.