July 13, 2018

Does The Political Compass Test Mean Anything?

Image result for political compass test
When someone starts getting into politics one of the most important questions, in fact, one of the only questions is where do they stand on the important issues. So many of them, instead of actually forming opinions, choose to go to the political compass test in order to get a basic idea. This test has also been one many YouTubers take in order to have their audience understand who they are. But one question has still not been answered, is it worth anything? 
So, in order to properly answer this question, we need to look at some more questions. Specifically, the questions on the official political compass test (link here) in order to find out if any of them are, well, good questions. In order to test this, I took a handful of questions from this quiz and decided to see if they have any major issues. So let's figure this out, together.
If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations.
This is the first question of the test and it shows one of the biggest problems with the test. It refuses to take into account that people regularly lie. Or, to use less loaded terms, most people don't like to think of themselves as the bad guys. No one is more hated than "the establishment", whatever that means.
Let me give you a real-world example. Many people believe that we should deregulate because it will cause jobs to come back here. Is that in favor of the corporations? They wouldn't. Afterall they're creating jobs.
Also, in the United States corporations are people. 
I’d always support my country, whether it was right or wrong.
No one thinks like this, even the people who we think are like this, aren't like this. Reagan for instance, human super-patriot, only got anywhere by criticizing Carter. George W. Bush did the same thing with Bill Clinton. They didn't always support their country. 
Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other racists
This question is directly asking you rather or not you're a racist. Even David Duke, the former KKK leader, doesn't think he's racist.
 The enemy of my enemy is my friend
This is a meaningless platitude. The test also gives you no context so this could mean anything. 
On a side note: When this country used this platitude we armed Osama Bin Laden.
Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment. 
Most people aren't economists. Plus most economic philosophies don't care for either inflation or unemployment. 
Land shouldn't be a commodity to be bought and sold
This question is directly asking you "are you a communist". Again, no one says they're something that most people believe being against is a "no-duh". Especially a philosophy most people believe killed 100 million people. 
Those with the ability to pay should have access to higher standards of medical care
I think this question is trying to ask "do you believe in universal healthcare", but there's one huge problem, that's not what this is asking. The vast majority of people who believe in UHC are fine with private healthcare being an option. 
Abortion, when the woman's life is not threatened, should always be illegal. 
Again this question is trying to ask "are you pro-life" but it doesn't really ask that. It's better than the healthcare question to be fair, but not much. 
A lot of people, including many pro-lifers, would also include rape and incest in times abortion is fine. That would make them pro-choice according to this question. Even though most of society would say otherwise.
All authority should be questioned
This question is asking you "are you an authoritarian". And even then even most authoritarians would answer yes. They had to rise to power somehow after all. 
All people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind
This question is asking you rather or not you support "separate but equal". Which most people believe is the same as asking rather or not you're a racist. 
Good parents sometimes have to spank their children
This question has nothing to do with politics.
When you are troubled, it's better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things
Second verse, same as the first.
In conclusion: These questions are meaningless and using them to describe your ideology is idiotic. 

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