"Left"? "Right"? "Center"? What's the REAL political spectrum like?

[Mairead]

What are the leftmost, rightmost, and center points on the real political spectrum? Not the truncated spectrum that's being peddled by the corporatocracy, but the real one.

To get the conversation started, I'll suggest that the leftmost point is cooperative, socialist anarchy; where society functions only as a framework for cooperative effort on the one hand, and a mutual-insurance agency to mitigate bad luck on the other. The model could be described as 'Permanent Potluck' or, in a term that's gaining currency again, 'Gift Society'.

This would contrast with the rightmost point on the spectrum, which I'd suggest would be a tribalist theocratic pyramid, not unlike what we see occasionally even today with the David Koreshes and similar. A society in which only the god-priest-chieftain is important, while everyone else exists only to serve and be fscked by him. The ultimate in fascism, in fact, with the guy at the pinnacle claiming that his power comes from being divine--or at a minimum, having the personal authorisation and support of the Godhead. The model could be described by that hoary term 'Absolute Divine-Right Monarchy'.

What do you all think? Does that sound about right? If not, where do you think it's off?


Once you're satisfied that the ends have been marked, what kind of political situation is at the center of that spectrum -- the real 'political center'?

[wli]

1. something well to the left of what the US calls the center

[TahitiNut]

2. First off, it's NOT linear. Unidimensional thinking is a handicap.

On Edit: Even though this Pew Research Report has been posted and discussed on DU, we're clearly incapable of elevating or refining our rhetoric beyond the same old hackneyed, blame-ridden grunts and snorts of beer-sodden bar flies posturing and strutting in entrenched ignorance. I hereby mourn the passing of the Age of Aspirations.


Here's what Pew found ...

ENTERPRISERS

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: Staunch Conservatives, Enterprisers

9% OF ADULT POPULATION

10% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 81% Republican, 18% Independent/No Preference, 1% Democrat (98% Rep/Lean Rep)

BASIC DESCRIPTION: As in 1994 and 1999, this extremely partisan Republican group's politics are driven by a belief in the free enterprise system and social values that reflect a conservative agenda. Enterprisers are also the strongest backers of an assertive foreign policy, which includes nearly unanimous support for the war in Iraq and strong support for such anti-terrorism efforts as the Patriot Act.

DEFINING VALUES: Assertive on foreign policy and patriotic; anti-regulation and pro-business; very little support for government help to the poor; strong belief that individuals are responsible for their own well being. Conservative on social issues such as gay marriage, but not much more religious than the nation as a whole. Very satisfied with personal financial situation.

WHO THEY ARE: Predominantly white (91%), male (76%) and financially well-off (62% have household incomes of at least $50,000, compared with 40% nationwide). Nearly half (46%) have a college degree, and 77% are married. Nearly a quarter (23%) are themselves military veterans. Only 10% are under age 30.

LIFESTYLE NOTES: 59% have a gun in the home; 53% trade stocks and bonds, and 30% are small business owners ­ all of which are the highest percentages among typology groups. 48% attend church weekly; 36% attend bible study or prayer group meetings.

2004 ELECTION: Bush 92%, Kerry 1%. Bush's most reliable supporters (just 4% of Enterprisers did not vote)

MEDIA USE: Enterprisers follow news about government and politics more closely than any other group, and exhibit the most knowledge about world affairs. The Fox News Channel is their primary source of news (46% cite it as a main source) followed by newspapers (42%) radio (31%) and the internet (26%).


SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: Moralists, Moderate Republicans

11% OF ADULT POPULATION

13% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 82% Republican, 18% Independent/No Preference, 0% Democrat (97% Rep/Lean Rep)

BASIC DESCRIPTION: While supportive of an assertive foreign policy, this group is somewhat more religious than are Enterprisers. In policy terms, they break from the Enterprisers in their cynical views of business, modest support for environmental and other regulation, and strong anti-immigrant sentiment.

DEFINING VALUES: Conservative on social issues ranging from gay marriage to abortion. Support an assertive foreign policy and oppose government aid for the needy, believing people need to make it on their own. Strongly worried about impact of immigrants on American society. More middle-of-the-road on economic and domestic policies, expressing some skepticism about business power and profits, and some support for government regulation to protect the environment. While not significantly better-off than the rest of the nation, most express strong feelings of financial satisfaction and security.

WHO THEY ARE: Predominantly white (91%), female (58%) and the oldest of all groups (average age is 52; 47% are 50 or older); nearly half live in the South. Most (53%) attend church weekly; 43% are white evangelical Protestants (double the national average of 21%).

LIFESTYLE NOTES: 56% have a gun in their home, and 51% attend Bible study groups.

2004 ELECTION: Bush 86%, Kerry 4%.

MEDIA USE: Half of Social Conservatives cite newspapers as a main source of news; the Fox News Channel (34%) and network evening news (30%) are their major TV news sources.


PRO-GOVERNMENT CONSERVATIVES

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: Populist Republicans

9% OF ADULT POPULATION

10% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 58% Republican, 40% Independent/No Preference, 2% Democrat (86% Rep/Lean Rep)

BASIC DESCRIPTION: Pro-Government Conservatives stand out for their strong religious faith and conservative views on many moral issues. They also express broad support for a social safety net, which sets them apart from other GOP groups. Pro-Government Conservatives are skeptical about the effectiveness of the marketplace, favoring government regulation to protect the public interest and government assistance for the needy. They supported George W. Bush by roughly five-to-one.

DEFINING VALUES: Religious, financially insecure, and favorable toward government programs. Support the Iraq war and an assertive foreign policy, but less uniformly so than Enterprisers or Social Conservatives. Back government involvement in a wide range of policy areas, from poverty assistance to protecting morality and regulating industry.

WHO THEY ARE: Predominately female (62%) and relatively young; highest percentage of minority members of any Republican-leaning group (10% black, 12% Hispanic). Most (59%) have no more than a high school diploma. Poorer than other Republican groups; nearly half (49%) have household incomes of less than $30,000 (about on par with Disadvantaged Democrats). Nearly half (47%) are parents of children living at home; 42% live in the South.

LIFESTYLE NOTES: Most (52%) attend religious services at least weekly; nearly all describe religion as "very important" in their lives. Gun ownership is lower (36%) than in other GOP groups. Just 14% trade stocks and bonds in the market; 39% say someone in their home has faced unemployment in the past year.

2004 ELECTION: Bush 61%, Kerry 12%. Fully 21% said they didn't vote in November.

MEDIA USE: Most Pro-Government Conservatives consult traditional news sources, including newspapers (48%) and network TV (31%). No more or less engaged in politics than the national average.


UPBEATS

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: New Prosperity Independents, Upbeats

11% OF ADULT POPULATION

13% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 56% Independent/No Preference, 39% Republican, 5% Democrat (73% Rep/Lean Rep)

BASIC DESCRIPTION: Upbeats express positive views about the economy, government and society. Satisfied with their own financial situation and the direction the nation is heading, these voters support George W. Bush's leadership in economic matters more than on moral or foreign policy issues. Combining highly favorable views of government with equally positive views of business and the marketplace, Upbeats believe that success is in people's own hands, and that businesses make a positive contribution to society. This group also has a very favorable view of immigrants.

DEFINING VALUES: Very favorable views of government performance and responsiveness defines the group, along with similarly positive outlook on the role of business in society. While most support the war in Iraq, Upbeats have mixed views on foreign policy ­ but most favor preemptive military action against countries that threaten the U.S. Religious, but decidedly moderate in views about morality.

WHO THEY ARE: Relatively young (26% are under 30) and well-educated, Upbeats are among the wealthiest typology groups (39% have household incomes of $75,000 or more). The highest proportion of Catholics (30%) and white mainline Protestants (28%) of all groups, although fewer than half (46%) attend church weekly. Mostly white (87%), suburban, and married, they are evenly split between men and women.

LIFESTYLE NOTES: High rate of stock ownership (42%, 2nd after Enterprisers).

2004 ELECTION: Bush 63%, Kerry 14%.

MEDIA USE: Upbeats are second only to Liberals in citing the internet as their main news source (34% compared with 23% nationwide); 46% also cite newspapers. No more or less engaged in politics than the national average.


DISAFFECTEDS

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: Embittered, Disaffecteds

9% OF ADULT POPULATION

10% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 68% Independent/No Preference, 30% Republican, 2% Democrat (60% Rep/Lean Rep)

BASIC DESCRIPTION: Disaffecteds are deeply cynical about government and unsatisfied with both their own economic situation and the overall state of the nation. Under heavy financial pressure personally, this group is deeply concerned about immigration and environmental policies, particularly to the extent that they affect jobs. Alienated from politics, Disaffecteds have little interest in keeping up with news about politics and government, and few participated in the last election.

DEFINING VALUES: Despite personal financial strain ­ and belief that success is mostly beyond a person's control ­ Disaffecteds are only moderate supporters of government welfare and assistance to the poor. Strongly oppose immigration as well as regulatory and environmental policies on the grounds that government is ineffective and such measures cost jobs.

WHO THEY ARE: Less educated (70% have attended no college, compared with 49% nationwide) and predominantly male (57%). While a majority (60%) leans Republican, three-in-ten are strict independents, triple the national rate. Disaffecteds live in all parts of the country, though somewhat more are from rural and suburban areas than urban.

LIFESTYLE NOTES: Somewhat higher percentages than the national average have a gun in the home, and report that someone in their house has been unemployed in the past year.

2004 ELECTION: Bush 42%, Kerry 21%. Nearly a quarter (23%) said they didn't vote in the last election.

MEDIA USE: Disaffecteds have little interest in current events and pay little attention to the news. No single medium or network stands out as a main source.


LIBERALS

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: Liberal Democrats/Seculars/60's Democrats

17% OF GENERAL POPULATION

19% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 59% Democrat; 40% Independent/No Preference, 1% Republican (92% Dem/Lean Dem)

BASIC DESCRIPTION: This group has nearly doubled in proportion since 1999. Liberal Democrats now comprise the largest share of Democrats. They are the most opposed to an assertive foreign policy, the most secular, and take the most liberal views on social issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and censorship. They differ from other Democratic groups in that they are strongly pro-environment and pro-immigration.

DEFINING VALUES: Strongest preference for diplomacy over use of military force. Pro-choice, supportive of gay marriage and strongly favor environmental protection. Low participation in religious activities. Most sympathetic of any group to immigrants as well as labor unions, and most opposed to the anti-terrorism Patriot Act.

WHO THEY ARE: Most (62%) identify themselves as liberal. Predominantly white (83%), most highly educated group (49% have a college degree or more), and youngest group after Bystanders. Least religious group in typology: 43% report they seldom or never attend religious services; nearly a quarter (22%) are seculars. More than one-third never married (36%). Largest group residing in urban areas (42%) and in the western half the country (34%). Wealthiest Democratic group (41% earn at least $75,000).

LIFESTYLE NOTES: Largest group to have been born (or whose parents were born) outside of the U.S. or Canada (20%). Least likely to have a gun in the home (23%) or attend bible study or prayer group meetings (13%).

2004 ELECTION: Bush 2%, Kerry 81%

MEDIA USE: Liberals are second only to Enterprisers in following news about government and public affairs most of the time (60%). Liberals' use of the internet to get news is the highest among all groups (37%).


CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: Socially Conservative Democrats / New Dealers

14% OF ADULT POPULATION

15% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 89% Democrat, 11% Independent/No Preference, 0% Republican,(98% Dem/Lean Dem)

BASIC DESCRIPTION: Religious orientation and conservative views set this group apart from other Democratic-leaning groups on many social and political issues. Conservative Democrats' views are moderate with respect to key policy issues such as foreign policy, regulation of the environment and the role of government in providing a social safety net. Their neutrality on assistance to the poor is linked, at least in part, to their belief in personal responsibility.

DEFINING VALUES: Less extreme on moral beliefs than core Republican groups, but most oppose gay marriage and the acceptance of homosexuality, and support a more active role for government in protecting morality. No more conservative than the national average on other social issues such as abortion and stem-cell research. Most oppose the war in Iraq, but views of America's overall foreign policy are mixed and they are less opposed to Bush's assertive stance than are other Democratic groups.

WHO THEY ARE: Older women and blacks make up a sizeable proportion of this group (27% and 30%, respectively). Somewhat less educated and poorer than the nation overall. Allegiance to the Democratic party is quite strong (51% describe themselves as "strong" Democrats) but fully 85% describe themselves as either conservative or moderate ideologically.

LIFESTYLE NOTES: 46% attend church at least once a week, 44% attend Bible study or prayer group meetings, a third (34%) have a gun in their house.

2004 ELECTION: Bush 14%, Kerry 65%.

MEDIA USE: Emphasis on traditional providers as main news sources: newspapers (50%) and network TV news (42%).


DISADVANTAGED DEMOCRATS

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: Partisan Poor

10% OF GENERAL POPULATION

10% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 84% Democrat; 16% Independent/No Preference, 0% Republican (99% Dem/Lean Dem)

BASIC DESCRIPTION: Least financially secure of all the groups, these voters are very anti-business, and strong supporters of government efforts to help the needy. Minorities account for a significant proportion of this group; nearly a third (32%) are black, roughly the same proportion as among Conservative Democrats. Levels of disapproval of George W. Bush job performance (91%) and candidate choice in 2004 (82% for Kerry) are comparable to those among Liberals.

DEFINING VALUES: Most likely to be skeptical of an individual's ability to succeed without impediments and most anti-business. Strong belief that government should do more to help the poor, yet most are disenchanted with government. Strongly supportive of organized labor (71% have a favorable view of labor unions).

WHO THEY ARE: Low average incomes (32% below $20,000 in household income); most (77%) often can't make ends meet. Six-in-ten are female. Three-in-ten (32%) are black and 14% are Hispanic. Not very well educated, 67% have at most a high-school degree. Nearly half (47%) are parents of children living at home.

LIFESTYLE NOTES: Nearly a quarter (23%) report someone in their household is a member of a labor union, and 58% report that they or someone in the home has been unemployed in the past year­ both far larger proportions than in any other group. Only 27% have a gun in the home.

2004 ELECTION: 2% Bush, 82% Kerry

MEDIA USE: Largest viewership of CNN as main news source among all groups (31%). Only group in which a majority (53%) reads newspapers.


BYSTANDERS

PAST TYPOLOGY COUNTERPART: Bystanders

10% OF ADULT POPULATION

0% OF REGISTERED VOTERS

PARTY ID: 56% Independent/No Preference, 22% Republican, 22% Democrat

BASIC DESCRIPTION: These Americans choose not to participate in or pay attention to politics, or are not eligible to do so (non-citizens).

DEFINING VALUES: Cynical about government and the political system. Uninterested in political news.

WHO THEY ARE: Young (39% are under age 30, average age is 37). Lowest education (24% have not finished high school). Less religious than any group other than Liberals (26% attend church weekly). Largely concentrated in the South and West, relatively few in the East and Midwest. One-in-five are Hispanic.

LIFESTYLE NOTES: About half (49%) say they often can't make ends meet, fewer than among Pro-Government Conservatives, Disadvantaged Democrats or Disaffecteds; 30% attend bible groups or prayer meetings; 30% own a gun.

2004 ELECTION: 96% did not vote in presidential election.

MEDIA USE: Television is the main news source for Bystanders (79%) as for all other typology groups, with network news (24%) the most frequently cited TV source; 34% read newspapers and 23% get their news from the radio.

[Mairead]

9. What is it that you like about the Pew study?

When I look at it, I don't see whatever it is that you see. When I look around me, I see a much more complex situation than the one they describe.

[TahitiNut]

11. It offers a more rational basis for discussing strategies ...

... for addressing popular political priorities and gaining support in elections. For example, embedded in the tired old left-center-right pissing contests are assumptions regarding affiliation and priorities that just aren't freaking true. As an independent, I'm CERTAINLY not a 'centrist,' but that's an assumption CLEARLY embedded in the rhetoric I see on this board.

Even more significantly, the political terrorists on DU are constantly proclaiming "If you're not with us, you're against us!" Rather than focus on addressing the twin needs of education (clear message and honest advocacy) and outreach (addressing popular bread and butter priorities), it seems the best thing they can say is "We're not Bush!" Well, that's just not good enough ... and would soon drive me to vote Green if I thought that was the prevalent (lack of) thinking in any ballot slot.

I'll give one example of where the Right has stolen an issue by fraud. They say "We should be able to keep more of the money we've earned!" Well, I agree. That's why I'd rather spend 10% of all of what we earn for (national) health care that covers everyone than 15% of what we earn for (profiteering) health care that throws away 20% of the People. That's why I'd want to reform the equities markets so 'investments' actually reached the people doing the work rather than going to the guy with the whip. That's why I'd want to confiscate the property of businesses that hire illegal immigrants. That's why I want to increase the minimum wage. That's why I'd OUTLAW government investment in equities - and support nationalization of industries that get such huge public subsidies.

These positions are articulated by some ... but they're usually not called "Democrats."

[BlueStateModerate]

12. Something I drew up

Of course there will be huge problems with it, but this is my rough estimation.

[NorCalDem]

3. The HAVES

and the HAVE-NOTS! I'm referring to political power.

[Tux]

4. Spectrum

Is a tool used by political scientists to classify political philosophies. It's not working. With so many political views nowdays, one or 2 spectrums don't work. Best to just list the views and be done with it.

[delete_bush]

5. as stated above, the old

left-to-right, where do you fit on the line approach is too limiting. Whether or not you agree with them, the Libertarians have a two-dimensional chart that is more representative. I didn't spend the time to see if this particular site allows you to test yourself; if not it should be easy to find if you're curious.

http://jimeyer.org/libertarian/libertarian.php

[Mairead]

10. Well, if we really want to capture the full complexity, even a 3D space

won't do. But it seems to me that distribution of power is arguably the most important/basic of all the dimensions, for broadly the same reasons we're in trouble right now: we have no power more subtle than revolution, and the people who do have power are using it to flush the rest of us down the drain.

What about the Libertarians' one appeals to you? Have you seen the British 'political compass' one? I've seen both, and it seems to me that the 'political compass' offers a richer and more subtle look at that particular 2D space.

[delete_bush]

13. The 'political compass' test is the one I was

thinking about when I quickly googled to find a link for the OP. It turns out the link I provided was to the World's Smallest Political Quiz. I remember taking the 'political compass' test once on a Libertarian site so I was thinking they were connected to this.

The main point being there are numerous ways to visualize the political landscape that are superior to the tired old left-right single line.

[election_2004]

6. I think it's more like an oval....

You have to take into account libertarianism, how it's difficult to define in relation to the Far Right.

I see the U.S. political spectrum as a oval, with each side of the oval being a parabola....and the narrowest vertices on both sides of the oval each represent the Far Left and Far Right as you described them in your original post.

[shance]

7. There is no left anymore. There is the truth and then extreme right.

The left is a nothing more than an illusion now. The left has been gone for a while now, however the hatemongers are using the term like they use the "war on Terror", which is utilized as a distracting fantasy scapegoat being used to blame and keep us looking the other way while the extremists and the power abusers steal everything out from under mainstream Americans.

[rman]

8. not surprisingly that scale runs parallel

to the scale of democracy, with radical democracy on one end and despotism on the other end.

[aion]

14. Your distinctions blur

Do you not think that we're giving gifts to enormous corporations via corporate welfare? Do corporations not also have this insurance mechanism of which you speak?

There's a top-down vs. bottom-up differentiation at work. The right-wingers and left-wingers both believe that their passion sets them apart from the unwashed masses.

And while the right-wingers appear to have a pyramid schema, so too do those who believe in mob rule. Their pyramid, however, is built from the base upwards.

Both feed off of each other in a rather ominous way, in my opinion. Democracies often liberate theocracies and monarchies. And monarchies and empires have a very noticable way of doing away with communes.

Those who finance the wars, however, are in a position to benefit in both cases -- and have been known to secretly support both competing interests simultaneously. Some Floods might not always involve water...

[Mairead]

16. I'm not sure that's so

To me, corporate welfare has more extortion-nature than gift-nature. I see the essential nature of a gift being much more in the fact that it's voluntarily, even joyfully given, than in the fact it's not a direct quid-pro-quo trade.

I have to say I don't think much of your 'mob rule' characterisation, either. Certainly the elites consider democracy to be 'mob rule', but that's no more than their overweening sense of entitlement at work.

[aion]

17. Untrue

Those who base their opinions on facts which are not in evidence, fallaciously derrived, or simply untrue, have unjustified beliefs. When they vote on the basis of those unjustified beliefs, they behave as a mob.

[Mairead]

18. That's awfully harsh. Acting on the basis of 'unjustified beliefs' is

usually only called 'making a mistake'. Anyone can make a mistake.

When I think of 'mob', the picture that arises for me is a body of people acting jointly but with their brakes off. Whether they're a mob has nothing much to do with whether their beliefs are 'unjustified'.

[aion]

19. Democracy is a methodology, not an ideology.

Is that what you'd say to Bush? He simply made a mistake by presuming that Iraq had WMDs? His argumentation was præposterous, fallacious, and entirely self-serving. And, there was a definite mob-mentality which followed him, and many who still do follow him. These are mobsters. They are a mob.

Democracy is a methodology, it is not an ideology.

[Czolgosz]

15. politicalcompass.org addresses related issues in an interesting way.

There is a quiz followed by a score both along a left-right economic scale and an authoritarian-libertarian social scale. You can see where you fall among famous politicians and other figures in history. It's crude, of course, but it is though provoking. Take the quiz and tell what you learn. Here's a link.

<http://www.politicalcompass.org/>

[Mairead]

20. I took it years ago, thanks

I'm well down in the lower left quadrant, further even than Tony Benn and Red Ken, and much further than Gandhiji or the Dalai Lama.

[Czolgosz]

22. Me, too.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

21. There are at least two different scales,

one for political/economic views, and another for behavioral views.

When someone says that the Democratic establishment is "too far left of the American mainstream," they need to clarify whether they mean on political/economic issues or on behavioral issues.

Examples of the extremes:

Right-wing on behavioral issues, right-wing on poli/econ issues: fascists

Right-wing on behavioral issues, left-wing on poli/econ issues: Mao's China

Left-wing on behavioral issues, right-wing on poli/econ issues: the Libertarian party

Left-wing on behavioral issues, left-wing on poli/econ issues: European-style social democrats

[ZombieNixon]

23. The REAL political spectrum is three dimensional

and that's simplefying it quite a bit. In reality, it's a fourth dimensional hypercylinder, with one axis representing one's economic/regulatory stance, one representing one's stance on cultural/social issues, and the third representing foreign policy. This last "axis" is actually sort of a circle, since some people arrive at the same stance for different reason (compare the Green and Libertarian stance on Iraq, which are virtually identical, except that the philosophical underpinnings of each position are completely antithetical).