Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
August 30, 2011 at 1:41pm
Yes, I just wasted fifteen minutes of life I'll never get back taking the 2011 Pew Political Typology quiz. It told me that along with nine percent of the American people, I'm a libertarian.
Libertarians
9% OF THE PUBLIC
What They Believe
- Economically very conservative but moderate to liberal on social issues
- Highly critical of government
- Strongly pro-business
- Accepting of homosexuality
- Less religious than the average American
- Moderate views about immigrants compared to other GOP-oriented groups
Basically, I don't encourage you to take the quiz. You won't get the time back, ever, and it doesn't shed much light on anything. But if you're determined to ignore my advice, let me know how you score.
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Mar '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Well, at least now I am a member of a minority group that represents 9% of the population.
Feb '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
According to this quiz I'm a staunch conservative.
I have to agree though that this an awful quiz, one of the worst I've ever taken. The simplistic either/or questions reflect the left-wing bias of the quiz's authors.
There is no distinction drawn between immigration in general, which I think is good for the country, and illegal immigration which presents a serious threat.
You are asked whether or not corporations have too much power and if their power should be checked by regulation. I am unapologetic believer in free-market capitalism, but think that big corporations can gain too much power when government interferes and gives special treatment. Where is the statement that supports this point of view?
May '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Thanks for taking it so that we don't have to, Claire and M D. (But I did.) I like how the questions are either/or but many are not contradictions.
It says I'm a "Staunch Conservative." As opposed to "Main Street Conservative." I wonder what I have to alter to live on Main Street.
The wording of the questions does betray the essence of the leftist attitude: They think they're entitled to other people's money, and someone else should fix all of their problems.
Sep '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
I took the quiz and was told that I was a Wankel Rotary Engine with a shearing problem in one of my piston heads. I can't find a good Mazda repair shop in my locale.
May '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
I didn't take the quiz, but isn't an isolationist foreign policy/limited military essential to libertarianism as it's understood today in America? If so, Claire, are you still one? Bet not.
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
This is why I strongly urge people not to take too seriously the latest Pew polls telling the world, e.g., "What Muslims think"--especially when they've outsourced the polls to local polling firms in countries where they're substantially less rigorous about polling protocols. These kinds of quizzes tend to say nothing unless you can establish a longitudinal connection between scoring a particular way and behavior--and even then, they're really open to debate.
Nov '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Here's an alternative poll estimate of the prevalence of libertarianism.
http://reason.com/poll/2011/08/29/reason-rupe-poll-finds-24-perc
Jul '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
You're a temptress, you are ... be back in fifteen minutes.
Update. Apparently I'm a Staunch Conservative. For what it's worth ... which is not much (those questions were pretty poorly constructed to be of much use ... I can't say you didn't warn me). Ah well, a harmless diversion before starting work.
Edited on August 30, 2011 at 2:53pmAug '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
I'm a Post Modern..... I think thats an atheist conservative who cares about the environment.
Dec '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
It said I'm "Center-Right, Most Likely a Ricochet Member"
Kidding - I didn't and likely won't take it. Several years ago, USA Today invited me to be a part of their "Road Warriors" panel - taking surveys on different travel related topics. After the 2nd such survey, I politely asked them to take me off their list. I don't remember the exact wording of the questions, but they ran along the lines of "On a scale of 1-10, how badly do the airlines suck? (10 being like Ross Perot's giant sucking sound, 1 being a soft drink straw).
Jan '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
You realize of course, foul temptress that you are, that posting the link was tantamount to putting a big, bright and shiny red button in front of us and telling us to not push it.
Apr '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Staunch Conservative, sigh!
Aug '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Libertarian, along with 9% of the adult population and 10% of registered voters.
I took a quiz on a Libertarian site and was surprised that I scored as Libertarian. I have never really thought of myself as being one.
Jun '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
I'm an immigration-loving private-charity-loving staunch conservative who likes to help the poor privately, which there didn't seem to be a separate category for.
Dec '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Arotay engine with pistons , sort of like a chicken with teeth.
Jan '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Staunch Conservative - ho hum
Feb '11
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Staunch conservative. It's a bit depressing that only 9% of respondents had similar responses, though it seems that each category (with the exception of solid liberal) has something a conservative could appeal to.
Jun '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
The missing category is "weather-vane."
May '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
"Constitutionalist/racist". Is that the right answer?
Jun '10
Re: Because We All Want to Know Where We Fit In ...
Here's another to try. Has more questions- a little more thorough.
http://www.politicalcompass.org/