I HAVE FIGURED IT OUT!!! (sort of)

[ZombieNixon]

Below is the first incarnation of my comprehensive political orientation test.

More than a simple left/right linear graph and better than a 2-Dimensional political compass, ZombieNixon's PoliticalOrientation-O-Gram (development test version 1.0d) assesses your personal liberalism or conservatism in perceptive 3-Dimensional textual wonder. Whether you're a foaming bible-thumping neocon or a bleeding heart liberal eco-fascist, The ZNPOOG will insult your deepest held ideology by placing you in a simplistically named category that grossly overgeneralizes your views, but not before determining your exact place in the figurative political sphere!

NOTES: Basically, what I realized is that even though politics is so complex to accurately quantify, most issues can be classified as either economic/regulatory, foreign policy, or cultural. Using the X-Axis as economic, the Y-Axis as foreign policy and the Z-Axis as cutural, I can assess some otherwise pretty complex people. I based the questions off of those from politicalcompass.org and the CSMonitor's "Choose the Candidates" selector.

Things I need help on: On the Y-Axis, foreign policy, you may notice that on some questions, the "far right" answer may be similar to the "far left" answer, but for different reasons. This is illustrated by the fact that Michael Badnarik opposes the Iraq War just as much as David Cobb. For that reason, you could draw the "foreign policy" axis as a circle, but then I ceases to be an "axis" and the space in which final answers may be plotted becomes some freaky 4-Dimensional hyper-torus (with 2 perpendicular axes and 2D circle perpendicular to both axes simultaneously). Because of our limitations to three dimensions, this doesn't work. Thoughts?

Anyway, here's how it stands now...

<drum roll>

Instructions: For each question, choose the answer that best represents your view. For each "0" answer, give yourself 0 pts, for each "33" answer, give yourself 33 pts, and so on. After you complete each section, add up your total score and divide it by 8. That is your score for that section.

X-AXIS: ECONOMIC POLICY & REGULATORY ISSUES

1. Tax rates are...
0. unfair. A disproportionate tax burden in on the most productive members of society.
33. about right, but taxes are generally too high.
67. about right, but the Bush tax cut favored the rich.
100. unfair. The wealthy exploit loopholes while the poor pay more then their fair share.

2. CEO salaries are...
0. precisely what the market can bear.
33. probably too high. They should be tied to stock performance.
67. unfairly high. Company boards should rein in greedy executives.
100. criminally high. The government should cut corporate tax benefits for companies
with exorbitant executive salaries.

3. The minimum wage...
0. is bad economics. Let the free market set the minimum wage.
33. is about right. Any increase would threaten small businesses.
67. is too low. Congress should increase it by a few dollars.
100. is a cruel joke. It’s time for a living wage that keeps workers above the poverty line.

4. Healthcare...
0. is too important to be left to government. Privitazation will improve healthcare.
33. is in need of reform. The federal government must lower costs without limiting
choice.
67. is something that too few Americans have. We must make affordable healthcare more
accessible.
100. is a right. The US should adopt a government-funded single-payer system.

5. When the US formulates international trade policies, what should be its highest priority.
0. The integrity of free trade.
33. US economic growth.
67. Job security for the American worker.
100. Promoting minimul labor and environmental standards worldwide.

6. What is the best way to grow the US economy?
0. The government does not grow the economy; capitalists do.
33. Lower taxes, deregulate, empower the entrepreneurial class
67. Reduce the deficit, balance budgets, empower the working class.
100. Cut the defense budget in half, provide universal health care, promote a living wage.

7. What is your view on gun control?
0. Read the Second Amendment. Any questions?
33. More legislation won't necessarily improve gun safety or reduce crime.
67. The government must strengthen its gun-control laws.
100. Handguns and assault weapons should be outlawed.

8. Most government regulatory agencies ...
0. are unconstitutional and need to be closed.
33. need reform. Many are too bloated and bureaucratic.
67. are not strong enough.
100. protect democracy.

Y-AXIS: FOREIGN POLICY

1. How should the US secure peace between Israelis and Palestinians?
0. Let the people of the Middle East set their own course. US intervention makes
matters worse.
33. Until Palestinians halt terror attacks, the US should support Israel's defensive actions.
67. The US must be an "honest broker" again by working more consistently with
moderates.
100. The US must cut some aid to Israel and stand up to Israeli abuses of international
law.

2. US immigration priorities should be...
0. speeding the process for qualified immigrants, and tightening border enforcement.
33. granting undocumented workers temporary legal status, but not amnesty.
66. offering undocumented immigrants better access to social programs and amnesty.
100. lower requirements for immigrants coming to the country.

3. What is your feeling about the United Nations?
0. The US must never surrender its sovereignty. It must leave the UN now.
33. It is a bloated bureaucracy that is often incompetent or unwilling to get the job done.
67. It's not perfect, but is a vital institution in world affairs.
100. It is still the world's best hope for peace.

4. How should the US deal with North Korea's nuclear threat?
0. Why does the US have to deal with it? Let regional nations contain the danger.
33. The US must not be blackmailed with WMD. It should be ready to launch a
preemptive strike.
67. It must work with regional powers, using its diplomatic strength to remove this
threat.
100. It should offer N. Korea more incentives, and fewer threats, to dismantle its nuclear
program.

5. The war against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq was ...
0. another example of the human and financial costs of unnecessary foreign intervention.
33. a noble enterprise. The US cannot sit idly by as threats to its national security gather.
67. based on a false case. It has been a diplomatic disaster, and a quagmire for US forces.
100. immoral, illegal, and unjustified.

6. How should the US approach alliances with foreign powers?
0. Americans must heed President George Washington's warning against "entangling
alliances."
33. The US should never need permission from the UN or allies unwilling to face evil
threats.
67. The US must act in its interests, but strong alliances are key to achieving them.
100. The US must respect international law and stop acting unilaterally.
  
7. How can the US win the war on terrorism?
0. By not interfering in other nations' business.
33. It must act preemptively, alone if need be, to wipe out terror networks and
governments that support them.  
67. It must lead a truly global effort to root out terror networks.
100. US leaders must revise arrogant foreign policies that breed anti-American hatred.

8. The US should support authoritarian regimes...
0. never. We should keep to ourselves.
33. if it helps further our foreign policy goals.
67. as little as possible. Only when it is absolutely unavoidable.
100. never. They will ultimately stab us in the back.
Z-AXIS: CULTURAL ISSUES

1. Abortion should be...
0. outlawed. Period.
33. prohibited in most cases.
67. safe, legal, and rare.
100. every woman's right.

2. Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?
0. No. There needs to be a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
33. Civil unions are OK, but marriage should be restricted to unions between a man and a
woman.
67. States should decide for themselves whether same-sex marriages are legal.
100. Yes. They should enjoy all the legal benefits of marriage – just like everyone else.

3. During a war you don't agree with, the highest form of patriotism is ...
0. loyalty to country. Voicing opposition only aids the enemy.
33. respect. It's OK to privately disagree, but Americans should root for the home team.
67. dissent. It's important to voice opposition to reckless foreign policies.
100. protest. It's wrong not to act while soldiers die unnecessarily
.
4. Should the USA Patriot Act – which restricts some civil liberties in order to crack down on terrorists – be renewed?
0. Yes. It's definitely needed to prevent another 9/11.
33. Only after a thorough review and the removal of key objectionable portions.
67. It served its purpose on the heels of 9/11, but is no longer justified.
100. Absolutely not. The US should not wage war on the Bill of Rights to win battles
abroad.

5. What role should prayer play in public schools?
0. Schools should have time set aside for silent prayer.
33. Local school districts should decide whether prayer should be a part of their day.
67. Students should be allowed to pray as long as teachers are not involved.
100. None. It's discriminatory to publicly practice religion at a taxpayer-funded school.

6. What is your view of global warming?
0. It is phony science, driven by radical environmentalists.
33. It is a real issue, but the threat is exaggerated.
67. It is a serious problem. The US should join other nations in ratifying the Kyoto
treaty.
100. It is one of the most serious threats facing humankind.

7. Stem-cell research...
0. is a form of abortion and is akin to murder.
33. has potential, but it is greatly exaggerated..
67. has great potential and must receive funding.
100. can cure many serious diseases and needs to be funded and explored in much greater
depth.

8. What role should religion have in US government?
0. Our country stay true to its Judeo-Christian roots and God’s law.
33. America must acknowledge the Founding Fathers’ faith.
67. While acknowledging our roots in religion, America must never seek to impose one
faith over any others.
100. None. Doing otherwise is a violation of the separation of church and state.

INSULTINGLY NAMED CATEGORIES
{0-50, 0-50, 0-50}: Foaming bible-thumping neoconservative
{50-100, 0-50, 0-50}: Hawkish, fundamentalist welfare queen
{0-50, 50-100, 0-50}: Hypocritical interventionist control freak
{0-50, 0-50, 50-100}: Self-centered, isolationist libertarian
{50-100, 50-100, 0-50}: Evangelical humanitarian missionary
{0-50, 50-100, 50-100}: Confused liberal CEO
{50-100, 0-50, 50-100}: Attention-craving so-called “security mom”
{50-100, 50-100, 50-100}: Bleeding-heart liberal eco-fascist

{25-75, 25-75, 25-75}: Eager-to-please populist

***

ZombieNixon's final score:
(58.5, 67.0, 71.1)

Economic: Moderate to liberal (leans moderate)
Foreign policy: Moderate to liberal
Cultural: Moderate to liberal (leans liberal)

***

[RafterMan]

1. I don't think you've got it.

There's too much moralism embedded in many of these questions.

For example, on the Israel question -- cutting aid to Israel has a realpolitik reason and the reason you give. The action and the moral justification you give are not intertwined in reality as they are on your test. The tax rates question similarly hinges on fair vs unfair rather than effective vs ineffective. On the flip side, questions 5 & 6 on the X-axis are phrased well ("what is the best way...", "what is the top priority...").

It would be okay if your test was designed to assess the moral acumen of the subject but from a pragmatist's point of view, many of the questions are unanswerable.

[ZombieNixon]

2. OK, thanks :)

Do you think this would be better?

1. The American tax system is...
0. ineffective. A disproportionate tax burden in on the most productive members of society.
33. generally effective, but taxes are generally too high.
67. generally effective, but the Bush tax cut favored the rich.
100. ineffective. The wealthy exploit loopholes while the poor pay more then their fair share.

[RafterMan]

4. Tough question

In fact, that may highlight the most important question in politics. Members of a coalition are brought together because they support some end goal: at what point do the *reasons* they supported that goal become significant? If I had the answer, I promise Bush would not be president.

As to the specific question, how about:

1. The American tax system is...
0. Largely destructive. A disproportionate tax burden in on the most productive members of society.
33. Largely constructive, but taxes are generally too high.
67. Largely constructive, but the Bush tax cut favored established wealth over growing wealth.
100. Largely destructive. The current structure favors capital accumulation over capital circualtion.

I'm not sure I'm happy with these but it is tough, as I'm sure you realized.

[Zero Division]

3. I like the idea of 3 different axes

Separating out foreign policy seems more accurate to me than trying to squeeze it in somewhere with cultural issues or economic issues. It doesn't really fit comfortably in either of those categories.

I have to wonder about the gun issues question being put under economics and the global warming question being put under the cultural category. It seems more appropriate to put the gun issues under culture and global warming under economics.

BTW, my scores were (66.75, 62.75, and 91.75): I would call scores like that (liberal leaning moderate, liberal leaning moderate, and hard left). This is actually the first political compass quiz I've taken in which I've gotten results that reasonably match my own perceptions of my political beliefs. I've usually go either far left (such as on that very popular British political compass test) or far right of where I see myself on other political quizzes.

[ZombieNixon]

5. Classifications

I have to wonder about the gun issues question being put under economics and the global warming question being put under the cultural category. It seems more appropriate to put the gun issues under culture and global warming under economics.

The reasons I did that are two-fold:
1) In order to more accurately represent one's views, the test needed to have an equal number of questions under each category so as not to over-represent one area. When I first made up the test, I had 9 questions on the X-axis, 8 on the Y and 6 on the Z, so I needed to take one question off the X and put it on the Z and add one other question to the Z. I added the final Culture question ("What role should religion play...?") to make 7 cultural questions, still leaving the X-axis to heavily weighted. The two most ill-fitting questions on the X-axis were the global warming and gun control question. I chose to move global warming to the Z-axis.

2) Looking at the answer choices, I decided that the gun control question would better serve on the X-axis since it is primarily about government intervention in private life rather than the morality behind gun control. I added language to the answers to the global warming question to reflect the fact that a right-wing fundo would likely dismiss the science behind global warming as "phony," the same way they deride evolution and the like. None of the answers provide an impetus for change, as in forcing corporations to adopt cleaner standards regardless of profit.

[Zero Division]

7. I concede that the gun control question is difficult to classify

Your point about it being a question of regulations and government intervention is certainly valid. However, I still think that the political conflict over gun control is driven to a substantial degree by cultural issues over things like rural traditions, expressing machismo, and the ideal of the "rugged individual".

I'll also concede that the issue of global warming involves both cultural and economic issues. It's true that among many in the Christian Right, for example, there is a hostility towards environmental concerns because of their perception that environmental concerns stem from "earth-worshiping" religious beliefs. However, I don't think this anti-environmental attitude is intrinsic or of a primary concern to their belief system. I think the anti-environmental attitude is more a result of the confluence between the laissez faire corporatists and the religious right. The issue of whether global warming is caused by the activities of humans or not seems to be more of a primary concern to the laissez faire, economic right wing, including a-religious Libertarian-types.

[ZombieNixon]

8. Again, like we have said, both issues are hard to classify.

This being the first incarnation of this test, the questions are far from static. As I refine it, things are certain to change.

[AntiFascist]

6. This is interesting....

but there are also some important "cross-dimensional" relationships, for example the Neocon troglodyte might answer the question:

What is the best way to grow the U.S. economy?

"The U.S. economy is in danger of collapse due to depleting natural resources upon which our economy depends and competition from huge, emerging foreign economies. The best way to assure continuing growth is to use offensive, military strength and (under the guise of spreading U.S. style democracy around the world) bring about regime change and forge monopolistic strongholds on those remaining resources."

The forward-looking progressive peace activist might counter:

"The only sane way to solve the world's energy problem is to work as a team with future superpowers and quickly develop alternative fuel sources. If we don't, the downfall of the U.S. economy may be accelerated."