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Political Axes

Our Political Matrix measures your alignment on three distinct axes that represent key dimensions of political thought. Understanding these axes helps you better interpret your results.

Economic Left-Right Axis

This axis measures your views on economic systems and the role of government in the economy

Economic Left
More government control, redistribution
Moderate
Economic Right
Free markets, less regulation

Economic Left

People on the Economic Left tend to believe that markets, left unregulated, create unjust outcomes. They support stronger government involvement in the economy, such as redistributing wealth through taxation, providing public healthcare and housing, and regulating industries to protect workers and the environment. Inequality is seen as a systemic issue, not just a result of personal choices.

Key Characteristics:

  • Government involvement in economy
  • Wealth redistribution through taxation
  • Public healthcare and housing
  • Industry regulation for worker protection
  • Environmental protection measures

Economic Right

People on the Economic Right believe that free markets and private enterprise are the most efficient ways to grow wealth and distribute resources. They argue that government intervention, through taxes, regulations, or social programs often leads to inefficiency, dependency, or unintended consequences. Individuals, not the state, should drive economic outcomes.

Key Characteristics:

  • Free markets and private enterprise
  • Limited government intervention
  • Lower taxes and fewer regulations
  • Individual economic responsibility
  • Market-driven resource distribution

Progressive-Conservative Axis

This axis measures your social and cultural values, from traditional to progressive views

Conservative
Traditional values, preserve institutions
Moderate
Progressive
Social change, progressive values

Conservative

Conservatives place value on tradition, heritage, and long-standing cultural structures. They often believe that norms have developed over time for good reason and that preserving them is important for social cohesion. While not always opposed to change, conservatives prefer gradual reform and are wary of disrupting institutions like religion, family, or nationhood.

Key Characteristics:

  • Value tradition and heritage
  • Preserve cultural structures
  • Gradual social reform
  • Strong family and religious institutions
  • National identity and continuity

Progressive

Progressives support cultural evolution. They believe society should change to be more inclusive, equitable, and reflective of modern values. This often involves challenging traditions around race, gender, sexuality, and family. Progressives typically advocate for social reforms and see diversity and fluidity in norms as strengths.

Key Characteristics:

  • Cultural evolution and change
  • Inclusive and equitable society
  • Challenge traditional norms
  • Social justice and reform
  • Celebrate diversity and fluidity

Authoritarian-Libertarian Axis

This axis measures your views on governmental power and individual freedom

Libertarian
Individual freedom, limited government
Moderate
Authoritarian
Strong government, order & control

Libertarian

Those on the Libertarian side value personal freedom, decentralized decision-making, and limits on government power. They believe individuals should decide how to live, speak, and act, so long as they don't harm others. Libertarians tend to oppose mass surveillance, executive overreach, and authoritarian policing, believing these violate core personal liberties.

Key Characteristics:

  • Personal freedom and choice
  • Decentralized decision-making
  • Limited government power
  • Opposition to mass surveillance
  • Individual autonomy and rights

Authoritarian

People who score high on the Authoritarian side believe that a strong, centralized state is necessary to maintain order, enforce laws, and guide society. They are comfortable with the government exercising power in areas like surveillance, policing, censorship, or managing key industries if it serves the collective good. These people often see individual liberty as something that must sometimes be limited for stability or progress.

Key Characteristics:

  • Strong centralized state
  • Government power for collective good
  • Order and stability priority
  • Accept surveillance and censorship
  • Limit individual liberty when necessary

Mathematical Foundations

Behind our Political Matrix lies rigorous mathematical modeling. Here's how we calculate your position on each axis.

Authority vs. Liberty (AL Axis)

Mathematical formulation for governmental power measurement

Variables

C ∈ [0,1]Centralization — fraction of government decision-making power held at the national level
P ∈ [0,1]Coercive Capacity — normalized index of state coercion (police powers, surveillance scope)

Formulation

Raw authoritativeness:

Araw = (C + P) / 2 ∈ [0,1]

Mapped to [-100, 100]:

AL = 100(C + P - 1)

AL = +100 when C = P = 1 (max centralization & coercion)

AL = -100 when C = P = 0 (pure decentralization & no coercion)

Progressive vs. Conservative (PC Axis)

Mathematical formulation for social and cultural values

Variables

N ∈ [0,1]Novelty Index — proportion of social attitudes favoring new or reformist norms
T ∈ [0,1]Tradition Index — proportion of attitudes favoring preservation of existing norms
In practice: T = 1 - N or measure both independently

Formulation

If N + T = 1, using N only:

Praw = N ∈ [0,1]

Mapped to [-100, 100]:

PC = 100(2N - 1)

Alternative (measuring N and T separately):

PC = 100 × (N - T) / (N + T)

PC = +100 when N = 1 (fully progressive)

PC = -100 when N = 0 (fully conservative)

Economic Left vs. Right (ELR Axis)

Mathematical formulation for economic policy preferences

Variables

F ∈ [0,1]Market Freedom — composite index of free-market policies (low taxes, deregulation)
R ∈ [0,1]Redistribution — composite index of redistributive policies (welfare, progressive taxation)
Often R = 1 - F, but can measure both independently

Formulation

Method A: Using F alone (R = 1 - F):

Lraw = 1 - F ∈ [0,1]
ELR = 100(1 - 2F)

Method B: Measuring F and R independently:

ELR = 100 × (R - F) / (R + F)

ELR = +100 when F = 0 (max redistribution/Left)

ELR = -100 when F = 1 (max market freedom/Right)

Ready to Find Your Position?

Now that you understand the three political axes, take our comprehensive test to discover where you align on the Political Matrix.

Take the Political Test