Quiz

What Is the World’s Smallest Political Quiz?

The World’s Smallest Political Quiz is a fast, fun, and accurate assessment of a person’s overall political views. The Quiz is composed of two parts: a new political map that is far more accurate than the old “Left-Right” line, and ten questions on specific political issues to help a Quiz taker find his place on that new political map.

The new political map is based on the "Nolan Chart." created in 1970 by David F. Nolan.

The “Left-Right” political model is misleading and fatally flawed. It doesn't have a place for many millions of people who don't fit neatly into some variant of liberal or conservative. In effect, it disenfranchises the millions of Americans who don't feel that "left," "right," "liberal," "conservative," etc. accurately describe their views.

Thomas Jefferson, for example, wouldn't fit comfortably on that chart under any of those labels. Neither would Jesse Ventura or Huey Long or Pat Buchanan. America's real political spectrum is more complex than this simplistic Crossfire model allows.

Nor does the "left-right" line give any useful insight into the differences between the various political categories. It doesn't tell us what the important differences are between liberals, conservatives, fascists, and so on. It tells us nothing of the views of these and other groups. Virtually all human political action can be divided into two broad categories: economic and personal.

The "personal" category includes what you do in relationships, in self-expression, and in general what you do with your own body and mind. Examples of personal activities: marriage; choosing what books you read and movies you watch; what foods, medicines, and drugs you choose to consume; sports; your religious choices; organizations you join; who you choose to associate with. The "economic" category includes what you do as a producer and consumer -- what you can buy, sell, produce. Where you work, who you hire, what you do with your money. Examples of economic activity: starting a business; buying a home; constructing a building; working in an office.

Since most government activity occurs in these two major areas, political positions can be defined by how much government control a person favors in these two areas. The extremes are no government at all in either area (anarchism) or total or near-total government control of everything (various forms of totalitarianism).

The central insight of the political model promoted by the Quiz is that the major difference between the various political philosophies, the real defining element in what a person believes politically, is the amount of government control over human action. In other words, there's not just a left-right axis, but an up-down one - DOWN toward authoritarianism and UP toward liberty!

In the video on this page, Advocates Board Chair, Dr. James W. Lark, III, explains the Nolan Chart and the World's Smallest Political Quiz to students at the University of Florida at a Students for Liberty Regional Conference. The event was covered by ABC affiliate TV station WCJB.

This is a breakthrough concept that instantly gives far more insight into politics. The Quiz chart more accurately places totalitarian or interventionist philosophies -- fascism, communism, and so on -- next to each other, instead of at opposite ends of a single line. And it is far more inclusive, with room for libertarians and others; indeed, virtually every political philosophy can be put onto that chart, unlike the one-dimensional "left-right" line.

Take the Quiz now and see where YOU fit on the new political map!