Classical liberalism defends individual liberty, limited government, the rule of law, free markets and free trade.
Key thinkers:Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, Frédéric BastiatTake the test and your match with Classical Liberalism shows up here. It is worked out in your browser and never sent anywhere.
Classical liberals hold that people flourish when they are free to speak, worship, own property and trade, and that the main job of government is to protect those rights. They are skeptical of large welfare states and economic planning.
The tradition draws on thinkers such as John Locke, Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill.
The ideas that most people in this tradition would sign up to.
It emerged from the Enlightenment and from the struggle against absolute monarchy and mercantilism in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Thinkers whose documented positions on the 12 axes align most closely with this ideology.
Scottish moral philosopher & economist · 1723–1790
A Scottish moral philosopher whose Wealth of Nations explained how specialisation and competition create wealth, and who criticised monopolies and trade restrictions.
“Commercial ties encourage peaceful coexistence, though national defense remains paramount.”
American economist · 1912–2006
An American economist of the Chicago school who defended free markets, floating exchange rates and school vouchers, and argued that economic freedom supports political freedom.
“Unilateral free trade and floating exchange rates open nations to global prosperity.”
French economist & legislator · 1801–1850
A French economist and member of the National Assembly who wrote satirical essays against tariffs and subsidies, arguing that the law should protect persons and property and do little else.
“Warns against what is not seen: unseen costs of government subsidies and regulations.”
These are its strongest leanings, followed by all twelve axes. They describe the typical version of the tradition.
Leans very strongly toward Democratic
92% toward Democratic
Leans very strongly toward Globalism
90% toward Globalism
Leans very strongly toward Freedom
88% toward Freedom
Editorial estimates for comparison and discussion. Real people and parties in this tradition vary.
Countries whose estimated profile is most like this ideology. No country follows a single ideology, so read this as a comparison, not a label.
Every tradition has critics. These are the objections most often raised.
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The test scores you on all twelve axes and ranks every ideology by how well it matches you.
