Who should control a society’s resources: the state (public) or the market (private)?
Communism, socialism, social democracy, modern liberalism, economic conservatism, laissez-faire capitalism and anarcho-capitalism all answer that question differently, from the far left to the far right. Read how each one defines itself, then see where each one sits on the economic spectrum.
They are listed from left to right. Left means more control by the state, through the public sector. Right means more control by the market, where consumers and businesses make the choices in the private sector. These four are only about the economy, so they say little about the socio-cultural spectrum.
Define each ideology
Choose an ideology to read its definition, what its supporters believe, and how it is often criticized.
See where each one fits
Each band shows the range where an ideology typically sits, and the dot marks its centre. Select a band to read why it sits there, or slide the marker to test your own view.
These positions are typical and simplified. They shift across countries, parties and people, and economists place them differently. Left and right describe a tendency, not whether an idea is good or bad.
Compare them on seven policy areas
Pick a policy area to see how each ideology typically approaches it. Select an ideology’s name to keep it highlighted.
How much conformity should a society require, and how far do people’s rights reach?
Authoritarianism, monoculturalism, interculturalism, multiculturalism and libertarianism answer that question in different ways. Read how each one defines itself, then see where each one sits on the socio-cultural spectrum. Authoritarianism and libertarianism are the two extremes, and the other three positions sit between them.
They are listed from top to bottom, as on the two-axis grid. At the top, authoritarianism requires the most conformity. At the bottom, libertarianism protects the widest right to choose. In Québec, debates over religion, language and education are debates about how far these rights reach. Monoculturalism, interculturalism and multiculturalism are the moderate positions between the extremes. These positions are about the socio-cultural spectrum only, so they say little about the economy.
Define each position
Choose a position to read its definition, what its supporters believe, and how it is often criticized. Interculturalism is a bridge model, and it is Québec’s own approach.
See where each one fits
Each bar shows the range where a position typically sits, and the dot marks its centre. Select a bar or a name to read why it sits there, or use the slider to test your own view.
Try it: slide the marker down the ruler to match your own view.
At the top, the state requires one culture. At the bottom, the state requires nothing.These positions are typical and simplified. They shift across countries, parties and people, and scholars place them differently. Authoritarianism describes how power is used, so it can enforce any culture, while monoculturalism describes what is promoted. Some argue that libertarianism sits nearer the middle, because it opposes both enforced conformity and state support for cultural groups. Top and bottom describe a tendency, not whether an idea is good or bad.
Compare them on six topics
Pick a topic to see how each position typically approaches it. Select a name to keep it highlighted.
Québec case studies: rights in tension
Four rules show how Québec balances people’s rights against common public rules. Read the rule, name the rights on each side, then place the case on the spectrum. These are plain-language summaries, so check the official text on LégisQuébec, because laws change.
Self-test: complete the passage
Select a word from the word bank, then select a blank to place it. Select a filled blank to take its word back out. The bank has more words than the passage needs, so some words will stay unused.
These pages describe tendencies and do not say which position is best. Real governments mix ideas from several of them. Part of the two-axis spectrum unit.