Political spectrum test
A political spectrum test that goes past left and right
A political spectrum test places you on the line from left to right. This one does that with your Economy score, then adds your place on the political compass and ten more axes, from trade and immigration to religion and technology. 60 statements, about nine minutes, free and with no account.
Take the political spectrum testThe left–right spectrum is the compass's horizontal line
Your own position appears here once you have taken the test on this device. Take the 12 Axes test
Read only from left to right, the 38 ideologies of the test form a political spectrum. Add the vertical line, from libertarian to authoritarian, and they spread out into the political compass.
Economic runs from −10 (left) to +10 (right), authority from −10 (libertarian) to +10 (authoritarian). Both come from the Economy and Power axes; a score in the Balanced band counts as centre.
How the political compass worksThe political spectrum, ideology by ideology
Each row is one point on the Economy axis, from collective ownership on the left to private ownership on the right. The ideologies in a row share that point, and your own result lands somewhere on the same line.
100% Collectivize
90% Collectivize
80% Collectivize
60% Collectivize
Mixed economy
60% Privatize
70% Privatize
80% Privatize
90% Privatize
Same place on the spectrum, opposite ends on power
A one-line spectrum puts each of these pairs on the same spot. The Power axis pulls them apart, which is why this test scores power separately.
| On the spectrum | Least state power | Most state power |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Collectivize | TrotskyismPower · 60% Freedom | StalinismPower · 100% Security |
| 80% Collectivize | Anarcho-SyndicalismPower · 100% Freedom | State SocialismPower · 70% Security |
| 60% Collectivize | Anarcho-MutualismPower · 100% Freedom | TechnocracyPower · 80% Security |
| 60% Privatize | Anarcho-EgoismPower · 100% Freedom | FascismPower · 90% Security |
| 80% Privatize | VoluntaryismPower · 95% Freedom | Authoritarian CapitalismPower · 90% Security |
One line, two axes or twelve
| View | Lines | What it keeps | What it hides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political spectrum | 1 | Left and right, usually economic, sometimes a blend of everything people call left and right | How much power you would give the state, and every issue that does not follow economics |
| Political compass | 2 | Economic left and right, plus libertarian and authoritarian | Culture, religion, foreign policy, trade, immigration and technology |
| 12 Axes test | 12 | Both compass lines and ten more, each scored on its own | It is still a summary: the statements sample positions, they are not a full programme |
What your political spectrum test result shows
- Your place on the left–right spectrum, from your Economy score, with the band it falls in.
- Your position on the political compass, from −10 to +10 on both lines.
- Twelve separate scores in four groups: government, diplomacy, economy and society.
- The closest of 38 ideologies, 109 countries and 109 historical figures.
- A link and an image to share. No account and no email; your answers are scored in your browser.
Questions about the spectrum test
What is a political spectrum test?
A quiz that asks how far you agree with a set of statements and places you on the political spectrum, the line from left to right. Many stop at that one line. This one also scores power, culture, foreign policy and eight more axes, because people at the same point on the line often disagree about those.
Where am I on the political spectrum?
On this site your place on the left–right line comes from the Economy axis: how far you favour collective or public ownership over private ownership and markets. Above 60 leans left, below 40 leans right, and 40 to 60 is the centre. You see it, with your eleven other scores, as soon as you finish.
Is the political spectrum the same as the political compass?
No. The spectrum is one line. The political compass adds a second, from libertarian to authoritarian. Your result shows both, plus ten more axes.
How long does it take?
The standard version has 60 statements and takes about nine minutes. There is a 36-statement version of about five minutes and a full one with all 288 statements.
Is this political spectrum test free?
Yes. The test, the full result and the share image are free, with no account and no email. The only paid extra is an optional PDF report of your result.
How accurate is it?
No political test is a validated measuring instrument, so treat the result as a summary of the answers you gave today. Longer versions are less swayed by one unclear statement, and the scoring here is published in full.
Twelve lines. Draw yours.
Take the political spectrum test