Political Position Test

I. Theoretical Background (Core of Political Spectrum)

This Political Position Test Scale is developed based on the classical Political Spectrum Theory, covering the five core assessment dimensions most central to contemporary political science research. Political Spectrum Theory posits that an individual's political stance is not a simple "left-right" binary division, but rather a complex value system composed of multiple dimensions including economics, society, liberty-authority, global-national, and attribution style.

Research indicates that political position is a comprehensive manifestation of an individual's values, social cognition, and policy preferences. The score combinations across different dimensions can precisely locate an individual's position within the political spectrum. Through this test, individuals can clearly identify their own political value orientations and understand the core logic behind different positions.

II. Scale Structure and Dimensions

This scale consists of 20 items, evaluating political stance tendencies through five core dimensions:

• Economic Left-Right Dimension: Assesses attitudes toward government intervention in the economy, wealth distribution, social welfare, etc., with 7 items (Questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10)
• Social-Cultural Dimension: Measures views on traditional values, multiculturalism, social inclusion, etc., with 4 items (Questions 11, 12, 13, 17)
• Liberty-Authority Dimension: Reflects attitudes toward government power, individual freedom, and legal order, with 3 items (Questions 1, 8, 18)
• Global-National Dimension: Assesses value tendencies between international cooperation and national interests, with 2 items (Questions 15, 16)
• Attribution Style Dimension: Measures cognitive tendencies regarding the causes of social problems (individual responsibility vs. structural factors), with 2 items (Questions 19, 20)

All items use a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree), with no reverse-scored items, ensuring intuitive and easily interpretable results. By calculating the average score for each dimension, a complete political position profile is ultimately formed.

III. Political Spectrum Type Analysis

Based on score combinations across the five dimensions, political positions can be divided into the following core types:

• Left-Wing (Progressive): High scores in economic dimension, tending toward government intervention, wealth redistribution, and social welfare; open in social-cultural dimension, valuing equality and inclusion; attribution style biased toward structural factors.
• Right-Wing (Conservative): Low scores in economic dimension, supporting free markets and individual responsibility; traditional in social-cultural dimension, valuing order and stability; attribution style biased toward individual choice.
• Libertarianism: High scores in liberty-authority dimension, emphasizing individual freedom as priority, opposing government intervention in economic and social life; economically right-leaning, socially-culturally left-leaning.
• Authoritarianism: Low scores in liberty-authority dimension, supporting strong government and legal order, valuing national security and social stability; economic and social positions may be left or right.
• Nationalism: High scores in the national orientation of the global-national dimension, prioritizing national interests and holding cautious attitudes toward international cooperation.
• Globalism: High scores in the global orientation of the global-national dimension, valuing international cooperation and global governance, supporting cultural diversity and openness.

IV. Test Applicable Population and Value

This test is suitable for all adults who wish to understand their political stance and value orientation, especially:

• Individuals wishing to clearly recognize their own political values
• People who want to understand the logic behind different political stances
• Those who wish to improve communication and understanding on political issues
• Learners interested in political science and social psychology

The core value of the test lies in helping individuals: (1) identify their position within the political spectrum; (2) understand the internal logic of different political dimensions; (3) recognize the diversity and complexity of political stances; (4) enhance rational cognition and discussion ability regarding political issues.

V. Result Interpretation Notes

Each dimension score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating more pronounced characteristics in that dimension:

• High economic dimension score: Leaning left-wing (progressive), supporting government intervention and social equity
• Low economic dimension score: Leaning right-wing (conservative), supporting free markets and individual responsibility
• High social-cultural dimension score: Leaning open and diverse, supporting inclusion and equality
• Low social-cultural dimension score: Leaning traditional and conservative, valuing order and stability
• High liberty-authority dimension score: Leaning libertarian, emphasizing individual freedom
• Low liberty-authority dimension score: Leaning authoritarian, valuing order and authority
• Global-national dimension (Q15 high score / Q16 low score): Leaning nationalist
• Global-national dimension (Q15 low score / Q16 high score): Leaning globalist
• Attribution dimension (Q19 high score / Q20 low score): Leaning individual responsibility attribution
• Attribution dimension (Q19 low score / Q20 high score): Leaning structural attribution

It is important to note that there is no absolute right or wrong in political positions; each position reflects different value priorities. Additionally, political orientation is not static and may change with personal experience and cognitive development. The results of this test are for self-cognition reference only and do not constitute any basis for political decision-making.