Know Your Politics!

The following is an adaptation of 1) the World's Smallest Political Quiz, developed by Advocates for Self-Government. and 2) the Nolan Chart (shown below) developed in 1969 by a founding father of the libertarian movement, David Nolan.

The Nolan chart is used to describe the spectrum of political philosophy using two dimensions: 1) the familiar liberal / conservative (left / right) and 2) the less familiar libertarian / authoritarian (up / down).

To plot your politics on the Nolan Chart begin by responding to the ten questions below.

The questions are grouped into two categories: Personal Freedom and Economic Freedom.

For each question provide one of three possible responses: Totally Disagree, Agree, Somewhat, or Totally Agree



Personal Freedom
Totally Disagree
(0 points)
Agree, Somewhat
(10 points)
Totally Agree
(20 points)
Morality is an important personal and religious matter that should not be defined by government.
Only behavior which endangers or causes physical or financial harm to other people should be illegal.
Adult drug and alcohol use and prostitution are private matters unless they endanger or harm non-participants.
First trimester abortion is a matter of personal choice.
The government should not be authorized to incarcerate almost all non-violent offenders now in prison.

Economic Freedom
Totally Disagree
(0 points)
Agree, Somewhat
(10 points)
Totally Agree
(20 points)
Generally society prospers more if money is spent by people rather than by government.
The only business activities that should be illegal involve theft, fraud and financial or physical harm.
You should not be forced to pay taxes that benefit special interests such as corporate welfare and foreign aid.
Increased prosperity and reduced consumer prices offset most negative economic impacts of globalization.
Wealthy people do not have a moral obligation to assist the needy.