Now that we've established that I'm the only communist here, I'm interested in learning more specifically where, in the grand (political) spectrum of things, the rest of this community falls, just as an ongoing point of curiosity. This thread therefore needn't necessarily take the form of a discussion (though it can). The main purpose here is to gauge the overall political positions that can be found here. To that end, I'll post my results from what's probably the most commonly cited political quiz/test/thing on the internet, followed by the answers that led to that result. I'd request that others follow suit in at least posting their results, if not their answers (though I'll leave the latter optional). Additionally, anyone should feel free to post a political quiz/test/thing that they might prefer or find equally valuable at any time.

Okay, that said, here goes:

THE POLITICAL COMPASS TEST (link)

My Answers...

Just for quick reference, as some of us who've been around awhile might find this quiz familiar, there was a thread on it from a few years ago here.

Also, a similar political quiz thread in the same year, found here.

Well, shit, I'm on the Libertarian left.

How can someone not agree that porn should be legal for adults? Also, if people were more open with talking about sex and having it safely we wouldn't have such a high rate of teens with STDs. Keeping sex ed out of schools hasn't done a bit of good.

Economic Left/Right: -7.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.59

I ended up in the "libertarian left" quadrant of the graph, a bit further into the wilderness than Gandhi.

Ah! I searched for "political quiz" I swear. Only six posts came up and all were years-old references to the latter quiz, which I didn't really like as much. Guess I should have searched for the exact title. Sorry about the redundancy.



First of all, let's clarify that, unlike many people, I distinguish between pornography on the one hand and erotica on the other. I go by the meanings of the root words. Whereas "eros" refers to love, the root of pornography refers to harlotry. Pornography, in other words, is distinguished by the objectification of the person (let's face it, almost certainly a girl or woman) in question. Pornography in my mind then inevitably refers either to the actual sexual exploitation of, let's face it, probably women, or to the portrayal of such exploitation for purposes of arousal rather than for any artistic purpose.

Participation as a worker in such an industry can be voluntary...in the same way that sweatshop labor is voluntary. It rarely reflects people actually wanting to be degraded and demeaned, but rather reflects that people have objective survival needs that have to be met and the means for the meeting thereof that are provided by society. Insofar as a tiny, tiny handful might genuinely "enjoy" being treated as a commodity, that's not healthy in my view.

I'm not opposed to portrayals of people in sexual embraces or anything reactionary like that. That can be a beautiful thing!



In my response to that question, I wasn't referring so much to positive things like sex education as to a view that sex and personal romantic relationships are too heavily emphasized at present in our media and correspondingly in society itself, almost as if they were the only things that mattered in life. Scarcely do you hear a song on the radio that doesn't revolve around one of those two (hopefully related) subjects for example. In terms of television, what's in reality soft core pornography is all but inescapable at this point; almost as unavoidable as advertising itself. And studies have shown that this kind of rampant objectification of women has a real and negative impact on the psyche of young girls, teaching them what they're worth. Sex education is a good thing that saves lives and in effect gives girls and women especially greater control over their own bodies and lives, I think, and that's in fact the main reason I didn't indicate strong agreement with the statement in question.



Congratulations newbie on being the first participant on this thread to actually comply with the request in the OP by providing your results in a specific way, thus enhancing our understanding of each other.

I aim to please!!

No one forces women to work in pornos that I've heard of currently(maybe that was the norm in the past, IDK) and there are more women now than ever who feel empowered by it. I see nothing wrong with porn as I know for a fact that it's only fantasy. There are also more women than ever with more power in the sex industry these days, writing & directing porn that isn't so male-centric. To me, there's a very fine line between porn and erotica, but I understand that it may be a chasm to others.



In my response to that question, I wasn't referring so much to positive things like sex education as to a view that sex and personal romantic relationships are too heavily emphasized at present in our media and correspondingly in society itself, almost as if they were the only things that mattered in life. Scarcely do you hear a song on the radio that doesn't revolve around one of those two (hopefully related) subjects for example. In terms of television, what's in reality soft core pornography is all but inescapable at this point; almost as unavoidable as advertising itself. And studies have shown that this kind of rampant objectification of women has a real and negative impact on the psyche of young girls, teaching them what they're worth. Sex education is a good thing that saves lives and in effect gives girls and women especially greater control over their own bodies and lives, I think, and that's in fact the main reason I didn't indicate strong agreement with the statement in question.
[/quote]

I do agree that society puts WAAAAAY to much emphasis on being in a relationship and 'finding twu wuv'. If there were more shows and songs depicting strong female roles independant of having families or 'soul mates', that didn't make the women look like violent man-hating cunts(like they normally do, anyone who doesn't NEED a soul mate is a heartless bitch after all, right?) then maybe more girls would start thinking about their educations and their future instead of who's 'hawt'. Obviously, society isn't ready for that or the Sarah Connor Chronicles would still be on the air(strong, intelligent female lead that wasn't young or 'cute', but looked like a beautiful, mature woman and didn't dress skanky, no wonder it didn't make it).

Just a few propositions to start with, concerning - no less - how you see the country and the world.
Page 1 of 6
If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations. Strongly Agree

I'd always support my country, whether it was right or wrong. Disagree

No one chooses his or her country of birth, so it's foolish to be proud of it. Strongly Agree

Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other races. Strongly Disagree

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Agree

Military action that defies international law is sometimes justified. Strongly Agree

There is now a worrying fusion of information and entertainment. Strongly Disagree



Now, the economy. We're talking attitudes here, not the FTSE index.
Page 2 of 6

People are ultimately divided more by class than by nationality. Strongly Agree

Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment. Strongly Agree

Because corporations cannot be trusted to voluntarily protect the environment, they require regulation. Strongly Agree

"from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" is a fundamentally good idea. Strongly Agree

It's a sad reflection on our society that something as basic as drinking water is now a bottled, branded consumer product. Strongly Agree

Land shouldn't be a commodity to be bought and sold. Strongly Agree

It is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society. Strongly Agree

Protectionism is sometimes necessary in trade.
Disagree

The only social responsibility of a company should be to deliver a profit to its shareholders. Strongly Disagree

The rich are too highly taxed. Strongly Disagree

Those with the ability to pay should have the right to higher standards of medical care . Strongly Disagree

Governments should penalise businesses that mislead the public. Strongly Agree

A genuine free market requires restrictions on the ability of predator multinationals to create monopolies. Strongly Agree

The freer the market, the freer the people. Agree


Now a look at some of your personal social values …
Page 3 of 6

Abortion, when the woman's life is not threatened, should always be illegal. Strongly Disagree

All authority should be questioned. Agree

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Strongly Agree

Taxpayers should not be expected to prop up any theatres or museums that cannot survive on a commercial basis. Strongly Disagree

Schools should not make classroom attendance compulsory.
Disagree

All people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind. Strongly Disagree

Good parents sometimes have to spank their children. Strongly Agree

It's natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents. Strongly Agree

Possessing marijuana for personal use should not be a criminal offence. Strongly Agree

The prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to find jobs. Agree

People with serious inheritable disabilities should not be allowed to reproduce. Agree

The most important thing for children to learn is to accept discipline. Strongly Disagree

There are no savage and civilised peoples; there are only different cultures. Agree

Those who are able to work, and refuse the opportunity, should not expect society's support. Strongly Agree

When you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things. Strongly Disagree

First-generation immigrants can never be fully integrated within their new country. Strongly Disagree

What's good for the most successful corporations is always, ultimately, good for all of us. Strongly Disagree

No broadcasting institution, however independent its content, should receive public funding. Strongly Disagree

… and how you see the wider society.
Page 4 of 6

Our civil liberties are being excessively curbed in the name of counter-terrorism. Strongly Disagree

A significant advantage of a one-party state is that it avoids all the arguments that delay progress in a democratic political system. Agree

Although the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried. Agree

The death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes. Strongly Agree

In a civilised society, one must always have people above to be obeyed and people below to be commanded. [/b]Strongly Disagree [/b]

Abstract art that doesn't represent anything shouldn't be considered art at all. Strongly Agree

In criminal justice, punishment should be more important than rehabilitation. Agree

It is a waste of time to try to rehabilitate some criminals. Strongly Agree

The businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist. Strongly Disagree

Mothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers. Strongly Disagree

Multinational companies are unethically exploiting the plant genetic resources of developing countries. Strongly Agree

Making peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity. Strongly Disagree

If you got through that okay, you'll find these propositions on religion a breeze.
Page 5 of 6

Astrology accurately explains many things.
Disagree

You cannot be moral without being religious. Strongly Disagree

Charity is better than social security as a means of helping the genuinely disadvantaged. Strongly Disagree

Some people are naturally unlucky. Agree

It is important that my child's school instills religious values. Strongly Disagree

Finally, a look at sex.
Page 6 of 6

Sex outside marriage is usually immoral. Strongly Disagree

A same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship, should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption. [b Strongly Agree [/b]

Pornography, depicting consenting adults, should be legal for the adult population. Strongly Agree

What goes on in a private bedroom between consenting adults is no business of the state. Strongly Agree

No one can feel naturally homosexual. Strongly Disagree

These days openness about sex has gone too far. Strongly Disagree



My score, for what ever it means.

Economic Left/Right: -6.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.26

Thanks for providing a detailed reply!



To add one final thought to this subject area, here's the opinion of that leading anarchist theorist and well-known linguistics scholar Noam Chomsky on pornography. It's similar to my view. (Not that I always agree with Chomsky or anything. Just additional food for thought.)

ALRIGHT, now I say it's my turn to inquire a bit:

Regarding your answers to the various questions on page 2 (economics), what consistency do you see between most of your responses on that page and your agreement with the statement "The freer the market, the freer the people"?

As another point of curiosity, what tells you that "some people are naturally unlucky"?

I actually have no idea who Chomsky is so his view on pornography isn't relative to what I believe, even if I did know who he is it wouldn't change my opinion that adults should be able to purchase it. That's the beauty of freedom.

As far as the economy; I believe that, yes, there should be protections in place that don't allow another company to come into another country and hold the monopoly on something(like cars or w/e). What *I* take it to mean(freer market, freer people) is that as long as there are no monopolies on anything, the people are then more free to do things like start successful businesses without being shutdown because something like, say, Starbucks moves in next door and forces the local tea/coffee shop to shut down because they(being a monopoly) can afford to have rock bottom prices vs. the general costs that go into running a mom&pop store. I don't think their should be any way that monopolies can exist, that is one of the problems in this country.

I do believe that some people are just unlucky. I've known a few that are bright, intelligent people that somehow always seem to have freak accidents happening to them. Always through no fault of their own(even using common sense), but it happens anyway. It always reminds me of that story in the bible where god is screwing with that guy(Job?) by having his family die, then he loses all of his money, then he gets leprosy and dies a beggar. Sometimes life makes me think there really is someone up there just messing with us...sometimes.

Economic Left/Right: 3.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.31

Basically it said that I was libertarian in my views, which came as no surprise to me.

One of the things that I felt strongly about was that governments should try not to regulate money as much as possible. For example; I do not believe it is the government's job to tell corporations when and who to donate their money to. Many times, such businesses do so without being told to anyway. Also, if the government was given such a decision, then money would only go to where the government deems necessary, so many charities would be neglected.

There is nothing that makes government officials more qualified than us to deal with so much money, for proof of this you can look at national debts of various countires. This is why I believe business should be left in the hands of those who persue it, those who are talented with financial affairs.

That being said, I am NOT for a totally laissez-faire economic policy. I do believe that a few small regulations should be in place to prevent monopolies and ridiculous pricing. I think the US needs some sort of health care reform, but ones that congress honestly puts all their effort into rather than scribbling something quick down just so they can say they did it.

As for social issues:

I believe abortion is for the woman carrying the fetus to decide.

I am for diversity of races, religions, backgrounds, creeds, and the other things that differentiate us from one another. Any sort of restriction on such things I am against. Although if your creed is that you should go out and kill someone every week then that would be unacceptable as it would infringe upon someone else's freedom to life, liberty, and property.

Page 1


"Just a few propositions to start with, concerning - no less - how you see the country and the world."

1. If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations. Agree
2. I'd always support my country, whether it was right or wrong. Disagree
3. No one chooses his or her country of birth, so it's foolish to be proud of it. Disagree
4. Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other races. Disagree
5. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Disagree
6. Military action that defies international law is sometimes justified. Agree
7. There is now a worrying fusion of information and entertainment. Agree
Page 2


"Now, the economy. We're talking attitudes here, not the FTSE index."

1. People are ultimately divided more by class than by nationality. Strongly Disagree
2. Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment. Agree
3. Because corporations cannot be trusted to voluntarily protect the environment, they require regulation. Disagree
4. "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" is a fundamentally good idea. Strongly Disagree
5. It's a sad reflection on our society that something as basic as drinking water is now a bottled, branded consumer product. Disagree
6. Land shouldn't be a commodity to be bought and sold. Strongly Disagree
7. It is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society. Disagree
8. Protectionism is sometimes necessary in trade. Agree
9. The only social responsibility of a company should be to deliver a profit to its shareholders. Disagree
10. The rich are too highly taxed. Agree
11. Those with the ability to pay should have the right to higher standards of medical care. Strongly Agree
12. Governments should penalise businesses that mislead the public. Agree
13. A genuine free market requires restrictions on the ability of predator multinationals to create monopolies. Agree
14. The freer the market, the freer the people. Disagree
Page 3


"Now a look at some of your personal social values…"

1. Abortion, when the woman's life is not threatened, should always be illegal. Agree
2. All authority should be questioned. Agree
3. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Disagree
4. Taxpayers should not be expected to prop up any theatres or museums that cannot survive on a commercial basis. Disagree
5. Schools should not make classroom attendance compulsory. Disagree
6. All people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind. Strongly Disagree
7. Good parents sometimes have to spank their children. Disagree
8. It's natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents. Agree
9. Possessing marijuana for personal use should not be a criminal offence. Disagree
10. The prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to find jobs. Disagree
11. People with serious inheritable disabilities should not be allowed to reproduce. Disagree
12. The most important thing for children to learn is to accept discipline. Disagree
13. There are no savage and civilised peoples; there are only different cultures. Strongly Disagree
14. Those who are able to work, and refuse the opportunity, should not expect society's support. Disagree
15. When you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things. Disagree
16. First-generation immigrants can never be fully integrated within their new country. Strongly Disagree
17. What's good for the most successful corporations is always, ultimately, good for all of us. Disagree
18. No broadcasting institution, however independent its content, should receive public funding. Agree
Page 4


"…and how you see the wider society."

1. Our civil liberties are being excessively curbed in the name of counter-terrorism. Disgree
2. A significant advantage of a one-party state is that it avoids all the arguments that delay progress in a democratic political system. Strongly Disagree
3. Although the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried. Disagree
4. The death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes. Agree
5. In a civilised society, one must always have people above to be obeyed and people below to be commanded. Disagree
6. Abstract art that doesn't represent anything shouldn't be considered art at all. Disagree
7. In criminal justice, punishment should be more important than rehabilitation. Disagree
8. It is a waste of time to try to rehabilitate some criminals. Disagree
9. The businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist. Strongly Disagree
10. Mothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers. Disagree
11. Multinational companies are unethically exploiting the plant genetic resources of developing countries. Disgree
12. Making peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity. Strongly Disagree
Page 5


"If you got through that okay, you'll find these propositions on religion a breeze."

1. Astrology accurately explains many things. Disagree
2. You cannot be moral without being religious. Disagree
3. Charity is better than social security as a means of helping the genuinely disadvantaged. Disagree
4. Some people are naturally unlucky. Agree
5. It is important that my child's school instills religious values. Disagree
Page 6


"Finally, a look at sex."

1. Sex outside marriage is usually immoral. Disagree
2. A same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship, should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption. Agree
3. Pornography, depicting consenting adults, should be legal for the adult population. Agree
4. What goes on in a private bedroom between consenting adults is no business of the state. Agree
5. No one can feel naturally homosexual. Strongly Disagree
6. These days openness about sex has gone too far. Agree



...and I got
Economic Left/Right: 1.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.54

And none of the examples they gave were remotely close to my little corner! Gosh! I'm alone!
Is that good or bad; I can't quite decide...

Economic Left/Right: -6.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.05

A lot of the questions posed were issues which I feel, on balance, should have allowed for a "neutral" selection to avoid weighting the scale. Ah well.

Yeah, that's why I didn't bother finishing the test. Some questions just sounded stupid to me (I know they added up, but whatever), but a lot of them I just had a nuetral stance on. Eh. Maybe I just don't care enough.

Some general observations:

This has been interesting reading! As I had privately predicted, but without suggesting that a 1:1 political correlation exists, the results thus far provided have suggested that goths (and here it should be remembered that I'm not one myself) tend to lean toward liberalism. By liberalism, I refer to a range of views asserting individual autonomy against the intrusion of the community into that. The main source of ambiguity in liberalism is the divergence between "economic liberalism" and "civic liberalism".

Economic liberalism, sometimes called neo-liberalism or "big-L Liberalism", advocates a laissez-faire economic regime, i.e., the right of property owners to exercise the power of money unhindered by regulations, redistributive taxes and so on and prefers reliance on market forces to resolve social problems, rather than methods of state regulation.

Civic liberalism, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of individual autonomy against determination by traditional norms, racial prejudice, entrenched power relations, and economic disadvantage. Under the banner of "equality of opportunity", civic liberalism can come close to forms of communitarianism in emphasizing the responsibility of the community to secure the basic conditions of life of members of the community, or, under the banner of “freedom of the individual” on the other hand, to libertarianism, in emphasizing the rights of individuals to make "life-style" choices free from interference by the community, provided they do no harm to others.

A complex range and often unique mixture of those two perspectives seems to be most characteristic of the gothic subculture in an overall (but not absolute) sense. (Here I'm drawing a bit both from the community's actual responses on the one hand and from the first paragraph in particular under the "Why do people become goths?" heading here on the other.) My guess then is that what one is probably least likely to find among goths in terms of political persuasions are the political poles that value the community more than the individual: fascism on the right wing and communism (aside from anarchist variations, that is) on the left wing.

Anyone: What are your thoughts on these observations? Do you think they're accurate or would you have a different perspective to offer?