12 Axes Test

The 12 axes explained

The 12 Axes test does not put you on one left–right line. It scores you on twelve separate questions about politics, three in each of four categories. Here is what each axis measures, what a high or a low score means, the statements that move you along it, and which leaders and countries sit at either end.

Take the 60-statement test60 statements · about 10 min · free

Government

Federal vs Unitary

Where political power should sit: with regions, states and cities, or with one national government.

  1. Confederal>90
  2. Federational75–90
  3. Federal60–75
  4. Centrist40–60
  5. Unitary25–40
  6. Centralized10–25
  7. Extremely Centralized0–10

A high score: Federal

A high score favours decentralisation: local governments with real powers, laws that can differ from region to region, and loyalty to the place you live.

Statements that push toward Federal

  • State and local laws should have precedence over national laws
  • Local governments should have more power than they currently do.

At this end

Peter Kropotkin, Friedrich Hayek, Josip Broz Tito, Mahatma Gandhi and 2 more (6 figures of 124)

Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Micronesia and 2 more (6 countries of 195)

A low score: Unitary

A low score favours a strong centre: one national government that sets the same laws for everyone and keeps regions under its authority.

Statements that push toward Unitary

  • A group of states without a strong national government is merely an alliance, not a nation.
  • The national government needs more power.

At this end

Benito Mussolini, Francisco Franco, Joseph Stalin, Kim Il Sung and 39 more (43 figures of 124)

Afghanistan, North Korea, Vatican City, Algeria and 70 more (74 countries of 195)

Democratic vs Autocratic

Who holds authority and how it is checked: leaders chosen by voters, or rule that does not answer to an election.

  1. Liquid Democracy>90
  2. Direct Democracy75–90
  3. Representative Democracy60–75
  4. Centrist40–60
  5. Bicameral25–40
  6. Oligarchy10–25
  7. Autocracy0–10

A high score: Democratic

A high score backs elections, majority rule, civil liberties and limits on those in power.

Statements that push toward Democratic

  • It is important that the government follows the majority opinion, even if it is wrong.
  • Elections are an effective way of showing government approval.

At this end

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Mahatma Gandhi, Pablo Iglesias Turrión, Peter Kropotkin and 1 more (5 figures of 124)

Switzerland (1 country of 195)

A low score: Autocratic

A low score accepts or prefers leaders who are not chosen by vote, such as a strong ruler, a party or an unelected order, when they keep the country on course.

Statements that push toward Autocratic

  • The general populace makes poor decisions.
  • A hierarchical state is best.

At this end

António de Oliveira Salazar, Augusto Pinochet, Benito Mussolini, Daniel Ortega and 31 more (35 figures of 124)

Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brunei and 58 more (62 countries of 195)

Security vs Freedom

What the state should put first when the two pull apart: order and protection, or liberty and privacy.

  1. Totalitarian>90
  2. Authoritarian75–90
  3. Statist60–75
  4. Centrist40–60
  5. Liberal25–40
  6. Libertarian10–25
  7. Anarchist0–10

A high score: Security

A high score accepts surveillance, policing powers and limits on some freedoms in exchange for safety.

Statements that push toward Security

  • Police need more power and protection.
  • If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear.

At this end

Benito Mussolini, Erich Honecker, Joseph Stalin, Kim Il Sung and 33 more (37 figures of 124)

Afghanistan, Eritrea, North Korea, Turkmenistan and 28 more (32 countries of 195)

A low score: Freedom

A low score wants the state out of private life: privacy, free speech and personal choice even when they carry risk.

Statements that push toward Freedom

  • Victimless crimes (such as drug use) should not be crimes at all.
  • The right to bear arms should not be infringed.

At this end

Peter Kropotkin, Friedrich Hayek, Javier Milei, José Mujica and 5 more (9 figures of 124)

Countries: none of the 195 countries on our estimates

Diplomacy

Internationalism vs Nationalism

How a country should deal with the rest of the world: through shared institutions and cooperation, or on its own terms.

  1. World Government>90
  2. Internationalism75–90
  3. Cooperation60–75
  4. Non-Interventionist40–60
  5. Anti-Interventionist25–40
  6. Nationalist10–25
  7. Ultranationalist0–10

A high score: Internationalism

A high score supports alliances, international law and bodies such as the UN, and the idea that nations owe each other something.

Statements that push toward Internationalism

  • The United Nations needs more power.
  • I support regional unions, such as the European Union.

At this end

Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky, Angela Merkel and 19 more (23 figures of 124)

Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro (3 countries of 195)

A low score: Nationalism

A low score puts the nation first: sovereignty over treaties, suspicion of international organisations, and pride in one's own country above others.

Statements that push toward Nationalism

  • My nation should stay out of international affairs.
  • International aid is a waste of money most of the time.

At this end

Benito Mussolini, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Un, Alice Weidel and 33 more (37 figures of 124)

North Korea, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso and 12 more (16 countries of 195)

Militarist vs Pacifist

The place of armed force in policy: military strength as a tool, or peace and diplomacy as the rule.

  1. Expansionist>90
  2. Militarist75–90
  3. Military-Focused60–75
  4. Neutral40–60
  5. Non-Aggressive25–40
  6. Pacifist10–25
  7. Anti-War0–10

A high score: Militarist

A high score favours a strong military, high defence spending, and the use of force or intervention abroad when it serves the country.

Statements that push toward Militarist

  • There should be compulsory military service.
  • Military action by our nation is often necessary to protect it.

At this end

Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Kim Il Sung, Napoleon Bonaparte and 17 more (21 figures of 124)

Russia, Eritrea, Iran, Israel and 4 more (8 countries of 195)

A low score: Pacifist

A low score prefers diplomacy and negotiation, lower military spending, and force only as a last resort or not at all.

Statements that push toward Pacifist

  • Military spending is a waste of money.
  • Humanity has passed the point in which war is needed for resources.

At this end

Mahatma Gandhi, Gustavo Petro, Jeremy Corbyn, José Mujica and 5 more (9 figures of 124)

Andorra, Costa Rica, Marshall Islands, Mauritius and 7 more (11 countries of 195)

Assimilationist vs Multiculturalist

What a country should ask of newcomers and minority cultures: to adopt the national culture, or to keep their own.

  1. Ethnonationalist>90
  2. Monoculturalist75–90
  3. Assimilationist60–75
  4. Centrist40–60
  5. Polyculturalist25–40
  6. Multiculturalist10–25
  7. Racially Colorblind0–10

A high score: Assimilationist

A high score expects immigrants to learn the language and customs and to merge into one shared national culture.

Statements that push toward Assimilationist

  • Only extremely talented immigrants, if that, should be permitted to enter the country.
  • In general, immigration is bad for the country.

At this end

Alice Weidel, André Ventura, Benito Mussolini, Francisco Franco and 10 more (14 figures of 124)

North Korea, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Hungary and 3 more (7 countries of 195)

A low score: Multiculturalist

A low score welcomes several cultures living side by side, each keeping its own language, faith and customs.

Statements that push toward Multiculturalist

  • Everybody should speak at least two languages.
  • No cultures are superior to others.

At this end

Nelson Mandela, Anthony Albanese, Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and 26 more (30 figures of 124)

Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Mauritius and 3 more (7 countries of 195)

Economy

Collectivize vs Privatize

Who should own the economy's wealth and means of production: the community, or private individuals and firms.

  1. Communist>90
  2. Socialist75–90
  3. Social Democratic60–75
  4. Mixed Economic40–60
  5. Economic Liberal25–40
  6. Capitalist10–25
  7. Extreme Capitalist0–10

A high score: Collectivize

A high score leans to shared or public ownership, worker control, and a more equal spread of wealth and power.

Statements that push toward Collectivize

  • Private property should be abolished.
  • I support single-payer, universal healthcare.

At this end

Che Guevara, Erich Honecker, Fidel Castro, Friedrich Engels and 26 more (30 figures of 124)

North Korea, Belarus, Cuba, Eritrea and 1 more (5 countries of 195)

A low score: Privatize

A low score leans to private property, private enterprise, and accepting the inequalities that come with them.

Statements that push toward Privatize

  • The freer the market, the freer the people.
  • It is better to maintain a balanced budget than to ensure welfare for all citizens.

At this end

Javier Milei, Alice Weidel, Álvaro Uribe, Augusto Pinochet and 12 more (16 figures of 124)

Argentina, Bahrain, Lebanon, Liechtenstein and 6 more (10 countries of 195)

Planned vs Markets

How the economy should be coordinated: by the state's plans, or by prices and competition.

  1. Planned Economy>90
  2. Interventionism75–90
  3. Regulationism60–75
  4. Balanced40–60
  5. Markets25–40
  6. Free Market10–25
  7. Laissez-Faire0–10

A high score: Planned

A high score wants the state to steer production, prices and investment, with public planning where markets fail.

Statements that push toward Planned

  • Economic planning ensures maximum prosperity and growth.
  • It is necessary for the government to intervene in the economy to protect consumers.

At this end

Che Guevara, Erich Honecker, Fidel Castro, Friedrich Engels and 35 more (39 figures of 124)

Cuba, North Korea, Algeria, Belarus and 4 more (8 countries of 195)

A low score: Markets

A low score trusts markets: free prices, competition and little regulation.

Statements that push toward Markets

  • Fully privatized healthcare is a better means of providing healthcare than single-payer systems.
  • Economic regulation causes more harm than good.

At this end

Friedrich Hayek, Javier Milei, Milton Friedman, Alice Weidel and 12 more (16 figures of 124)

Argentina, Estonia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein and 5 more (9 countries of 195)

Isolationism vs Globalism

How open a country's economy should be: self-reliant and protected, or part of a global market.

  1. Isolationist>90
  2. Protectionist75–90
  3. Limited Trade60–75
  4. Moderate40–60
  5. Free Trade25–40
  6. Globalist10–25
  7. Global Economy0–10

A high score: Isolationism

A high score favours local production, tariffs and economic self-sufficiency.

Statements that push toward Isolationism

  • High tariffs are needed to protect local industries.
  • Export subsidies should be used for protecting local industries.

At this end

Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Un and 22 more (26 figures of 124)

North Korea, Algeria, Eritrea, Iran and 2 more (6 countries of 195)

A low score: Globalism

A low score favours free trade, open markets and a global economy.

Statements that push toward Globalism

  • Economic globalization is inevitable.
  • Tariffs should be lowered.

At this end

Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, Álvaro Uribe, Augusto Pinochet and 8 more (12 figures of 124)

Panama, Bahrain, Chile, Costa Rica and 11 more (15 countries of 195)

Society

Irreligious vs Religious

The role of religion in public life: a secular society, or faith as a guide for laws and morals.

  1. Antitheist>90
  2. Atheist75–90
  3. Agnostic60–75
  4. Moderate40–60
  5. Spiritual25–40
  6. Religious10–25
  7. Ultra-religious0–10

A high score: Irreligious

A high score keeps religion out of government and public policy, and is sceptical of religious authority.

Statements that push toward Irreligious

  • I consider myself an Atheist.
  • Creationism is a myth.

At this end

Joseph Stalin, Leon Trotsky, Mao Zedong, Vladimir Lenin and 16 more (20 figures of 124)

China, North Korea (2 countries of 195)

A low score: Religious

A low score sees faith as a foundation for society, wants religious values reflected in law, and gives religious institutions a public role.

Statements that push toward Religious

  • My religion is true.
  • I believe in a higher power.

At this end

Francisco Franco, Ruhollah Khomeini, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, André Ventura and 19 more (23 figures of 124)

Afghanistan, Iran, Vatican City, Algeria and 42 more (46 countries of 195)

Progressive vs Traditional

How society's norms should change: through reform toward new freedoms, or by keeping inherited values.

  1. Revolutionary>90
  2. Culturally Left75–90
  3. Progressive60–75
  4. Moderate40–60
  5. Conservative25–40
  6. Traditionalist10–25
  7. Reactionary0–10

A high score: Progressive

A high score welcomes social change, wider acceptance of different ways of life, and the reform of old customs.

Statements that push toward Progressive

  • Gender is a social construct.
  • I support the LGBTQ+ movement.

At this end

Che Guevara, Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky and 11 more (15 figures of 124)

Countries: none of the 195 countries on our estimates

A low score: Traditional

A low score wants society to hold to traditional morals, family and customs, and the law to uphold them.

Statements that push toward Traditional

  • Society has become too progressive.
  • Sex before marriage is immoral.

At this end

António de Oliveira Salazar, Francisco Franco, Ruhollah Khomeini, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and 20 more (24 figures of 124)

Afghanistan, Brunei, Mauritania, Somalia and 78 more (82 countries of 195)

Acceleration vs Bioconservative

How society should treat new technology and science: push it forward, or hold it back where it changes human life.

  1. Transhumanist>90
  2. Accelerationist75–90
  3. Technological60–75
  4. Neutral40–60
  5. Bioconservative25–40
  6. Decelerationist10–25
  7. Primitive0–10

A high score: Acceleration

A high score welcomes technological and scientific progress, including the ones that change the human body and way of life.

Statements that push toward Acceleration

  • Technological progress and innovation cannot be stopped.
  • We should put effort into getting a person on Mars in the near future

At this end

Friedrich Engels, Joseph Stalin, Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky and 1 more (5 figures of 124)

Countries: none of the 195 countries on our estimates

A low score: Bioconservative

A low score is wary of where technology is taking us, wants limits on it, and values older, simpler ways of living.

Statements that push toward Bioconservative

  • Society was better many years ago than it is now.
  • I oppose human genetic modification.

At this end

Mahatma Gandhi (1 figure of 124)

Countries: none of the 195 countries on our estimates

How an axis is scored

Every statement belongs to one axis and is written for one of its two ends. Your answer carries a weight: Strongly Agree +2, Agree +1, Partially Agree +0.5, Neutral/Unsure 0, Partially Disagree −0.5, Disagree −1, Strongly Disagree −2. A statement written for the second end counts the other way round.

The score is 50 plus the weights of the axis added up, scaled to the number of statements, so that strong agreement with everything written for one end reaches 100 (98 in the 288-statement test). It is the percent of the first end, and 100 minus it is the second: a 70 on Federal–Unitary is 70% Federal and 30% Unitary.

The 36-statement test asks 3 statements per axis, the 60-statement test 5, and the 288-statement test all 24 in the bank.

Seven labels per axis

Each score gets one of seven labels, named under each axis above. The bands are the same on every axis: >90, 75–90, 60–75, 40–60, 25–40, 10–25 and 0–10. A score of 40 to 60 gets the middle label of its axis: Centrist, Non-Interventionist, Neutral, Mixed Economic, Moderate, Balanced.

Why two people with the same score can disagree

Where the axes come from

The twelve axes, the 288 statements and the scoring rule come from the open-source 12axes test (MIT licence). The country and figure placements, and the words on this page, are ours. Figures and countries are placed by our estimates; each one’s page gives the reason for every axis.

About the test and its sources

Questions about the 12 axes

What are the 12 axes?

Twelve scales in four categories. Government: Federal–Unitary, Democratic–Autocratic, Security–Freedom. Diplomacy: Internationalism–Nationalism, Militarist–Pacifist, Assimilationist–Multiculturalist. Economy: Collectivize–Privatize, Planned–Markets, Isolationism–Globalism. Society: Irreligious–Religious, Progressive–Traditional, Acceleration–Bioconservative. Each one runs between two opposite values.

How is each axis scored?

Every statement belongs to one axis and is written for one of its two ends. Your answer carries a weight: Strongly Agree +2, Agree +1, Partially Agree +0.5, Neutral/Unsure 0, Partially Disagree −0.5, Disagree −1, Strongly Disagree −2. A statement written for the second end counts the other way round. The score is 50 plus the weights of the axis added up, scaled to the number of statements, so that strong agreement with everything written for one end reaches 100 (98 in the 288-statement test). It is the percent of the first end, and 100 minus it is the second: a 70 on Federal–Unitary is 70% Federal and 30% Unitary.

How many questions are on each axis?

The 36-statement test asks 3 statements per axis, the 60-statement test 5, and the 288-statement test all 24 in the bank.

What do labels like Federal or Centrist mean?

They name the band your score falls in. On Federal–Unitary the seven, from a high score to a low one, are Confederal, Federational, Federal, Centrist, Unitary, Centralized, Extremely Centralized. The bands are >90, 75–90, 60–75, 40–60, 25–40, 10–25, 0–10 on every axis.

Why can two people with the same score disagree?

A score adds up answers, so opposite answers can cancel out. A 50 can come from neutral answers or from strong ones in both directions. The results page works through an example.

Find your place on all twelve

The test shows your score on each axis, the closest of 38 ideologies, and the countries and figures nearest to you. Your answers stay on your device.

Take the 60-statement test60 statements · about 10 min · free