World Political Spectrum

Capitalism. Life is adventuresome and risk taking is encouraged. The means of production is privately owned. God provides the "unseen" hand to those who prosper in the market place. Government and consumer groups should be minimal. Everyone has a theoretical equal opportunity to become rich. Capitalism is also called private enterprise system, libertarian system, dollar democracy or republics. Representatives in government are based on land districts. Those who vote should own property. Schools, libraries, roads, and other public enterprises should be privately owned. Capitalism also self regulates. If government does not interfere, monopolies cannot occur.

Socialism. Individuals born into this system have certain rights including food, shelter, a job and health care. The means of production is owned by the workers and they are represented by one or more political parties. Small enterprises are owned by Individuals. Central planning occurs through industrial sectors or regions. All sectors of economic consequence are publicly owned. Representatives in government are there based on demographics of the country. This system is also called communism, structural socialism, or communitarism.

Social Democracies. This system is based on a mix of socialism and capitalism. Some sectors are private and some are public. The “mix” depends on the country. Some systems use limited economic planning. Others use an incomes policy. There is freedom of religion, speech, and assembly. Generally, there are multiple parties. Any area that has been made public can again be made private by a new administration. It is also called social market, European capitalism, democratic socialism, western socialism, or mixed economics or socialism.

Theocracies. Leadership at the top are there by divine ordination. Courts and Congressional assemblies play a supportive role to the theocrat. Law comes from religious sources and is interpreted by coalition. Private ownership of the means of production is encouraged by Individuals who belong to the proper faith. May also be called religious societies or divine republics.

Monarchies. Leadership at the top is there by bloodline and divine right. Courts and parliament play a support role to the king or queen. This system usually has a guild system of Iabor. Most of the means of production is owned by private individuals, landed gentry, lesser aristocrats, or the king.

Anarchies. This means that there is not a formal government. Earliest human existence had anarchical governments. This includes hunting and gathering societies, hoe cultures, and early agricultural societies. Today there are two forms. Leftist anarchists emphasize consensus and common ownership. Rightist anarchists favor ownership by physical dominance. Also called people's democracies.

Fascism. The leader makes a contract with God and the "people" to rule. Courts and parliaments play a supportive role. The means of production are owned by private individuals who are suitable by race and religion as well as the military elite. This may also be called military capitalism, nazisism. national socialism or military governments.