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Types Of Government

Michael Badnarik's Constitutional classes have inspired this question: (See this Thread) Is it that there are only two choices - left and right - or is there an up and down, too? Most people always choose the main parties in a country and expect something different from them. Michael gives a good reference using a diamond to show the various forms of government and how they affect your rights and money. Which kind of government are you willing to support?

For a list: https://phrontistery.50megs.com/govern.html

Government Types

I believe that just as our government was set up with a three tiered system of checks and balances, then so should we have three viable political parties to choose from as a system of checks and balances in that area as well. Having only two political parties to choose from that actually have a chance (with few notable exceptions, notable because they ARE the exception and not the rule) I believe has contributed to the growth of voter malaise and apathy. If there was a third party then that would end. I had hoped that the reform party might eventually work it's way up to that level, and still have hopes about the newly formed Veterans Party reaching that level, but then again I COULD possibly be biased concerning that particular party.

Types Of Government History & Civil Business Politics

I see the political spectrum as being much more 3 dimensional instead of the popular 1 dimensional description of left vs. right. I see that libertarianism could sort of sit on top parts of both the left and the right, while contitutionalism tends to take of parts of all three.

Government Types

I believe the terms "left" and "right" originated in the seating placements of various political types in European parliaments, most ostensibly the National Assembly of France. Those considered revolutionaries would sit on the left, those of a pro-police state tendency on the right.

Left and right are thus not based in specifics only perceptions. For example, fascism is considered right wing whilst communism-socialism is considered to be on the left. Both of these philosophies are of course the same when it comes down to it, and the practices can also be the same.

I wish these terms would disappear but those in control like to muddy the waters and keep things ever unclear.

I am of the opinion, as far as parties are concerned, that there should be no parties at all for it inspires the "spirit of party" which Washington warned of in his farewell address. I am also of the opinion that the major political parties in both the US and the Uk are but shades apart and serve only the purpose of making people thinking they have a choice, skilfully pretending they are in opposition to each other - but their fruits say otherwise and that is how I judge it.

As for the spectrum, the only way to measure governmental positions is to measure a point fixed between anarchy and totalitarianism. In other words, does a government have too little power (not likely to find that these days!) or too much? Understanding how to judge that would go out of this thread's subject.

People also differ in their applied philosophy on this spectrum when it comes to social and economic issues. For example someone might believe in a fully free market (no or very limited governmental powers relating to the market) and yet feel government should not show the same amount of freedom when dealing with social/moral issues.

Here's one test you might consider, it's very small but the questions aren't as vague as others and it seems - in my view - to understand that "left and right" is an illusion.

The Washington Post said of it:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?p...6¬Found=true

Take the test here:

https://www.self-gov.org/quiz/quiz.php


Brave enough to post your score?


Dubhdara.

Government Types

Thanks for the link to the quiz, Dubdhara. I took it and, as I suspected, was rated a centrist, with a score of 50% on personal issues and 60% on economic issues. I would consider myself a centrist because I have leaned towards both parties in different elections, based on the current set of issues and my perception of the candidates. I am not sure whether we should abandon the party system altogether; I do believe that the Presidential election should be followed closely, but what people also need to recognize is that the Senate and Congressional elections are just as, if not more important, because it is in these two houses where issues will be debated and voted on for sign off by the President so it is key to get a representative in these houses for the issues you believe in, regardless of political affiliation.

Types Of Government

No real surprise for me:
Your Personal issues Score is 90%.
Your Economic issues Score is 100%.

Extremely libertarian.

Types Government

Well this was totally shocking, not just surprising to me!

Your Personal issues Score is 60%.
Your Economic issues Score is 40%.

It said I am a centrist, but the shock is that it has me closer to liberal than to conservative. This is not accurate of me in general. It may be accurate of my beliefs on what government should do, but not of me in general.

Types Government Politics Business Civil & History

It seems that I am a Libertarian with 100% in both results.

Oh well, nobodies perfect.