Liberal? Conservative? Centrist?

[technomage]

Beginning to wonder where I fall in the spectrum.

How does one find out? I tried the "I Side With" website, and they put me in line with the Democrats, but anymore the Democrats are center-right. The Political Compass puts me more or less centrist. Other tests put me all over the spectrum, probably because the tests are by advocates of specific positions.

Who's got a good, not overly simplified, definition?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Maybe my understanding of the labels is oversimplified but this is usually how I see it.

Socially liberal, fiscally liberal = Modern Liberal
Socially liberal, fiscally conservative = Classical Liberal
Socially liberal, fiscally capitalist = Libertarian

Socially conservative, fiscally conservative = Modern Conservative
Socially conservative, fiscally liberal = Authoritarian
Socially conservative, fiscally capitalist = Classical Conservative


However, I always was curious what it would be considered if someone were to take the Political Compass and scored exactly in the Point of Origin with no leans at all. I'm assuming it's just not possible but I could be wrong.

 

[Sha'irullah]

I prefer the term "Archaic Conservative" as most conservatives are ill informed that conservative values are link to time frames and eras. I prefer myself to be a 500 B.C'ish conservative. Politically though I am utterly liberal and I support Obama and his socialist agenda strongly()

 

[technomage]

Maybe my understanding of the labels is oversimplified but this is usually how I see it.

Socially liberal, fiscally liberal = Modern Liberal
Socially liberal, fiscally conservative = Classical Liberal
Socially liberal, fiscally capitalist = Libertarian

Socially conservative, fiscally conservative = Modern Conservative
Socially conservative, fiscally liberal = Authoritarian
Socially conservative, fiscally capitalist = Classical Conservative

:yes: That's my understanding, too. I'm fairly centrist fiscally, but all over the map socially. Pro-marriage-equality, pro-gun, not so much "anti-union" as "not in favor of unions," mildly pro-choice on abortion, vehemently anti-Patriot Act. Pro-military, but not "Shovel money at the military until they can't take anymore." Pro-environment. Not terribly fond of "corporate citizenship."

I think military acquisitions should be based on the needs of the military, not on the political process of Congress. Those who engage in pork-barrelling should be tarred and feathered.

But for the most part, Libertarians are crackpots, Republicans are corporate lackeys, and Democrats are mostly "Republican Light."

However, I always was curious what it would be considered if someone were to take the Political Compass and scored exactly in the Point of Origin with no leans at all. I'm assuming it's just not possible but I could be wrong.

Heh, that would be interesting.

 

[freethinker44]

Don't side with any "side". If you pick a side then sooner or later you will be put in the position of defending something you don't believe in, and you know what? You probably will. We should do what's right because it's right, not because our favorite team is backing it.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

Beginning to wonder where I fall in the spectrum.

How does one find out? I tried the "I Side With" website, and they put me in line with the Democrats, but anymore the Democrats are center-right. The Political Compass puts me more or less centrist. Other tests put me all over the spectrum, probably because the tests are by advocates of specific positions.

Who's got a good, not overly simplified, definition?

I'm center left. I believe there are varying degrees to all of that stuff though.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

Don't side with any "side". If you pick a side then sooner or later you will be put in the position of defending something you don't believe in, and you know what? You probably will. We should do what's right because it's right, not because our favorite team is backing it.

So true....:yes:

 

[Revoltingest]

Beginning to wonder where I fall in the spectrum.

How does one find out? I tried the "I Side With" website, and they put me in line with the Democrats, but anymore the Democrats are center-right. The Political Compass puts me more or less centrist. Other tests put me all over the spectrum, probably because the tests are by advocates of specific positions.

Who's got a good, not overly simplified, definition?

The quiz is too simple, but the chart is the best I've seen.
HOME - The Advocates for Self-Government

I still like the label "classical liberal" for us libertarians.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I'm an anarcho-communist. So far-left. I have no place in political systems. Lol.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Here is a good tool for calculating how far left or right you along with your tilt towards Libertarian or Authoritarian thought.

The Political Compass - Test

 

[Kilgore Trout]

All political labels amount to little more than bumper stickers for your personality. Of course, this is why such labels appeal to most people. If one is interested in formulating substantive and nuanced opinions regarding individual issues based on their specific merits, facts, contexts, and impacts, then it's best to avoid the monolithic trappings of overly-simplistic political labels.

 

[Revoltingest]

All political labels amount to little more than bumper stickers for your personality. Of course, this is why such labels appeal to most people. If one is interested in formulating substantive and nuanced opinions regarding individual issues based on their specific merits, facts, contexts, and impacts, then it's best to avoid the monolithic trappings of overly-simplistic political labels.

Pbbbbbbt!
Labels are fun.

Btw, I googled your post, & found this pic....

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Pbbbbbbt!
Labels are fun.

Indeed. That about sums up their usefulness, applicability, and relevance.

 

[technomage]

Here is a good tool for calculating how far left or right you along with your tilt towards Libertarian or Authoritarian thought.

The Political Compass - Test

Now, this was interesting.

Political Compass Printable Graph

 

[Brickjectivity]

You forgot one. Its: liberal-conservative-centrist-useless