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The Political Compass test -a nitpick

Aunt Spiker

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So, I'm taking this thing against out of curiosity. (thepoliticalcompass.org)

And this one hung me up:
Charity is better than social security as a means of helping the genuinely disadvantaged.
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How is charity comparable to Social Security? Does Social Security in this sense mean something different than the Social Security that we pay into and receive upon disability or retirement?

I never considered it available to those who are genuinely disadvantaged - I though affirmative action, various organizations and welfare . . . among other things - were there for that purpose.

Some explain, please.
 
I scale Libertarian - Left, btw . . . barely Libertarian, though.
Political Compass Printable Graph

Far different than I scored last time I took this in which I was Authoritarian left - yep - total communist :lamo
 

you're looking at it from a purely American point of view, social security is, in its entirety, any government run or funded program that helps people out.
 
spud_meister said:
you're looking at it from a purely American point of view, social security is, in its entirety, any government run or funded program that helps people out.
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That makes sense - I didn't realize it had an alternative meaning.
Much appreciated.

I selected "disagree" - charity is great but only goes so far.
 
My nitpick is that the test asks you questions that require an absolute answer yet gives you a "Agree/Strongly Agree" option.

Edit: Also the use of words like "sometimes"

edit2: Or "always."



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So much for loving big government!
 
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Political Compass Printable Graph

I don't think I moved at all over the past four years.

As for your question, probably not. Charity cashflow is unreliable. Not exactly the best form of helping the truly disadvantaged (like those with genetic diseases) when you cannot predict how much cash you'll have to take care of them.
 
I like the test; it's way better than the regular left-right spectrum, but I think that I was thrown a little to the left by the quiz confusing free market capitalism and corporatism.
 
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It may refer to disability benefits received from SS before retirement age is reached. I had a little trouble with that question too.
 
DrunkenAsparagus said:
I like the test; it's way better than the regular left-right spectrum, but I think that I was thrown a little to the left by the quiz confusing free market capitalism and corporatism.
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Absolutely. This would be a good measure for everyone to take. Then we'd actually see where people stand.

The stupid right-left spectrum doesn't make sense these days. Especially with big government social conservatives vs. limited government social liberals.

A couple questions need work though.
 
I like how it contrasts with political figures so you see where you stand - and who you stand with.
I use to be right up there with Stalin. Same distance on the left but *waaay* Authoritarian.
 
Looks like I have pretty much stayed the same since the last time I looked at this one.

 
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It seems harder to get a high right/authoritarian score than it is to get a left/libertarian score. Seems like you have to answer the obvious racist/bigot questions like "Yeah my race is totally superior!" with a strongly agree type answer and also answer questions like "I would never question my country!"

Or maybe it's my natural aversion to such thinking.
 
Economic Left/Right: -7.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -7.18
woohoo
 
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