bsphil wrote:
For everyone with their panties in a bunch over the quiz being too short with too few options, try this one instead:
http://www.politicalcompass.org/test
I have the same problems with that quiz (which I think I stated the last couple times someone linked it). It makes assumptions which I simply disagree with. For example, the very first question:
"If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations."
I don't agree that the interests of trans-national corporations and the goal of "serving humanity" are exclusive. In fact, I happen to believe that they are in alignment. So what do I say? I strongly disagree with the question, so do I put that?
Here's another one:
"Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment."
I'm inclined to strongly disagree because I don't think that either is more important than the other. They are both important in different ways. But I'm betting that the question is really asking which I think is more important, with the disagree side meaning unemployment is more important, and the agree side meaning inflation is more important. They can't get anything useful out of me on this question, because I'll strongly disagree regardless of which direction you ordered the two elements. I'm certain, their quiz doesn't consider that though.
And another:
"It is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society."
I disagree with the assumption that simply manipulating money doesn't contribute to society. So do I disagree since the question is BS? Are they measuring the degree to which I'm in favor of the free market? Or the degree to which I don't like things that don't contribute to society? Hmmmm...
And another:
"Those with the ability to pay should have the right to higher standards of medical care ."
I don't agree that there's a right involved there at all. So do I agree because I think that being able to pay for more of something should allow you to buy more of that something? Or should I disagree because having more money doesn't give you more rights than anyone else? It's a quandary! I know what the question is actually trying to ask, but it doesn't ask that question. What to do? What to do? I'll be ornery and strongly disagree just to ***** with the test I guess.
It's just as full of bad assumptions as the other. Just longer, so the bad ones potentially can get weeded out in the result I suppose. And as expected the results aren't surprising:
Economic Left/Right: 4.88
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.46