Why twelve dimensions?
Left and right are useful shorthand, but two people with the same label can disagree about immigration, religion, trade or the structure of government. 12 Axes separates these choices to reveal combinations that one label can hide.
Each axis has two poles. Responses to statements contribute to a percentage on each side; the two percentages add to 100. The poles are reference points in the model, not a scale from wrong to right.
01. Structure — Federal / Unitary
How much power should stay with local communities rather than a national government?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
02. Representation — Democracy / Autocracy
How should leaders be chosen, challenged and held accountable?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
03. Civil liberties — Security / Liberty
Where do you draw the line between collective security and individual freedom?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
04. Immigration — Assimilation / Multiculturalism
Should newcomers adapt to shared traditions or maintain distinct cultural identities?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
05. Diplomacy — Militarist / Pacifist
How should a country balance military strength, deterrence and negotiation?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
06. Foreign policy — Non-interventionist / Nationalist
How actively should a country pursue its interests beyond its borders?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
07. Ownership — Public / Private
Who should own and provide the services, assets and businesses society relies on?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
08. Economic policy — Planning / Free market
How much should economic decisions be coordinated by the state or by markets?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
09. Trade — Protectionism / Globalism
Should trade policy prioritize domestic production or international integration?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
10. Religion — Secular / Religious
What role should religious beliefs play in public institutions and laws?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
11. Social values — Progressive / Traditionalist
How should society balance changing norms with inherited customs and traditions?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
12. Technology — Technology / Biology
How do you balance technological experimentation with biological and environmental caution?
Read this axis alongside the others. A leaning on this topic does not automatically determine your views in another dimension. The wording of an individual question may capture only part of the issue.
How to use the axes together
Start with the axes furthest from the midpoint. Then examine the balanced ones: they are part of your profile too. Use question explanations and profile comparisons to see which choices separate your views from a nearby ideological label.
KEEP EXPLORING
12 Axes vs. political compass ↗How to read your 12 Axes results ↗Methodology & limitations ↗