How We Calculate Results
The Map My Politics ideology chart uses two different axes, one for economic freedom – on the "x" (or horizontal) axis – and one for personal (or social) freedom – on the "y" (or vertical) axis.
Generally speaking, if your answers on economics-related topics demonstrate a preference for a more free market approach to governance, your position on the chart shifts rightward.
And if your selections in those areas tend towards a more market-regulated approach, your position on the chart moves leftward.
Similarly, if your answers on social liberty categories exhibit an inclination towards more government involvement in the particular issue, your position on the chart adjusts upward.
And if your responses on personal liberty matters show a preference for less government involvement, your position on the chart moves downward.
To learn more about the two-axis chart of economic vs. personal liberty, click here.
Many thousands of tests of the Map My Politics quiz and much refinement on our part have gone into making the results correctly reflect a particular person’s ideology. Is it perfect? Of course not. We’re dealing with political science here, not mathematics. But we sincerely believe that, after all of our research and fine-tuning, and given the variables and complexities involved, it’s as accurate as possible.
To return to your Results page and the Map My Politics Ideology Chart, where you can learn more about other ideologies, click here.
Maintaining and improving our Map My Politics site requires significant effort and expense. So if you appreciate our work to advance the understanding of – and participation in – democratic governance, please consider a modest donation. Your generosity is most welcome!
Two Axes of Freedom Chart
The Map My Politics ideology chart uses two different axes, one for economic freedom – on the x-axis – and one for personal (or social) freedom – on the y-axis.
We didn’t invent the concept of charting one’s political ideology in this manner, we just improved upon it.
Some credit David Nolan with creating the concept in 1969 and his version of the chart is even popularly referred to as the “Nolan Chart,” even though he modestly called it the “Self-Government Chart.” Nolan was a co-founder of the Libertarian Party, and he and his fellow libertarians found the chart especially useful to distinguish themselves from American conservatism. The chart, in one form or another, has subsequently been embraced by many non-libertarians as well, including non-partisan online quizzes such as Map My Politics.
In truth, the idea of improving upon the limited left-right political spectrum predates David Nolan. For example, a noted British psychologist by the name of Hans Eysenck charted economic liberty on one axis and what he termed “tough-mindedness” vs “tender-mindedness” on the other axis in his 1954 book, The Psychology of Politics. But Eysenck had in fact borrowed that distinction from the eminent 19th-century American philosopher, William James.
To return to your Results page and the Map My Politics Ideology Chart, where you can learn more about other ideologies, click here.
Maintaining and improving our Map My Politics site requires significant effort and expense. So if you appreciate our work to advance the understanding of – and participation in – democratic governance, please consider a modest donation. Your generosity is most welcome!