The 12 axes, explained
Each axis is a separate question about how society should work, with two opposite answers. You get a percentage toward each pole; 50/50 means you agree with arguments on both sides.
Government
Who holds power, how it is checked, and how much of your life it can reach.
Local vs Central
Local: Decisions belong with towns, regions and communities; distance from power is a risk.
Central: A strong national government keeps rights, rules and services the same for everyone.
Democracy vs Authority
Democracy: Leaders should be chosen, criticized and replaced by the people, regularly and freely.
Authority: Capable, stable leadership matters more than frequent votes or public approval.
Freedom vs Security
Freedom: Privacy, free speech and personal choice come first, even when they carry risks.
Security: Safety and public order justify giving the state more tools to watch and enforce.
World
How your country should treat other nations, armies and newcomers.
Global vs National
Global: Big problems are shared; international law and institutions deserve real authority.
National: Your own country's interests and sovereignty come first in every decision.
Peace vs Strength
Peace: Diplomacy over armies; military spending and intervention should shrink.
Strength: A strong military deters threats and is sometimes the right tool to use.
Pluralist vs Assimilationist
Pluralist: Many cultures and languages living side by side make a country richer.
Assimilationist: Newcomers should adopt a shared national culture, language and values.
Economy
Who owns things, who decides prices, and how open trade should be.
Collective vs Private
Collective: Wealth and key industries should be shared, taxed and run more democratically.
Private: Private property and private enterprise are the engine of prosperity.
Planned vs Free market
Planned: Governments should steer prices, jobs and investment toward public goals.
Free market: Prices and competition allocate resources better than any planner can.
Open trade vs Protection
Open trade: Fewer tariffs and borders for goods; cheaper products and global supply chains.
Protection: Make essentials at home and use tariffs to protect local jobs and industry.
Society
Faith, tradition and how fast we should change the way we live.
Secular vs Religious
Secular: Religion is a private matter and should stay out of law and government.
Religious: Faith and religious values should shape public life and the laws we live by.
Progressive vs Traditional
Progressive: Customs should keep evolving toward more equality and personal freedom.
Traditional: Long-standing norms, family structures and morals hold society together.
Acceleration vs Caution
Acceleration: Push science and technology forward fast; the upside outweighs the risk.
Caution: Slow down powerful technologies until we understand what they do to us.