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Libertarian Purity Test
George Mason University Econ Professor ^ | Bryan Caplan

Posted on 11/08/2006 12:48:58 PM PST by hoppity

This is the Libertarian Purity Test, which is intended to measure how libertarian you are. It isn't intended to be any sort of McCarthyite purging device -- just a form of entertainment, hopefully thought-provoking. I like it a lot better than the more famous "World's Shortest Political Quiz" because I haven't stated the questions with any intent to give an upward bias to a test-taker's score, and because it gives a clearer breakdown between hard and soft-core libertarians. Enjoy, suggest your friends try it out, and see how you compare to other test-takers...

A note on meaning: The word privatized as used throughout the survey means that a given government service is henceforth supplied by the free market and paid for by consumers. It is distinguished from sub-contracting in which the government uses tax money to hire a private firm to provide a government service.

Libertarian Purity Test


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: caplan; libertarian; purity; test
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I grew up with the guy who came up with this test. He considers himself a "pure" Libertarian, or anarcho-capitalist. I take the test every once in a while to see if my views have changed on Libertarian thought (I scored a 71). I posted this in a thread a couple of years ago, but figured it might be interesting as its own thread.

I thought it might be interesting to see where FReepers score, considering the discussions about Libertarians going on today.

1 posted on 11/08/2006 12:48:59 PM PST by hoppity
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To: hoppity

I'll give it a whirl. Maybe it will help reduce the raging inferno of anger that I now refer to as "being awake" to a mere powder keg of fury.


2 posted on 11/08/2006 12:51:43 PM PST by Gordongekko909 (Mark 5:9)
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To: hoppity
I score a 130, but I do not consider myself a libertarian.

Of course, a perfect score on that test indicates that you are a maniac, since it means you endorse political assassinations.

3 posted on 11/08/2006 12:54:16 PM PST by wideawake ("The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten." - Calvin Coolidge)
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To: hoppity

He can consider himself anything he likes ... considering some of the things he wants a "yes" answer to, I consider him a lunatic.


4 posted on 11/08/2006 12:54:29 PM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is aborting, buggering, and contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: hoppity

The higher the point value the loonier the questions.


5 posted on 11/08/2006 12:54:43 PM PST by BenLurkin ("The entire remedy is with the people." - W. H. Harrison)
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To: hoppity

I am a "a medium-core libertarian, probably self-consciously so. Your friends probably encourage you to quit talking about your views so much."

Funny for a guy who nearly joined the "lone soldier" IDF program.


6 posted on 11/08/2006 12:55:14 PM PST by MeanWestTexan (Kol Hakavod Lezahal)
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To: Gordongekko909

There is a link error now.


7 posted on 11/08/2006 12:56:19 PM PST by BigEdLB (BigEd)
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To: hoppity

Do you have dye your skin blue, or have campaign photos holding your pet ferett (like two of their canidates for office did)?


8 posted on 11/08/2006 12:56:38 PM PST by Moby Grape
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To: hoppity

91-130 points: You have entered the heady realm of hard-core libertarianism. Now doesn't that make you feel worse that you didn't get a perfect score?


9 posted on 11/08/2006 12:56:40 PM PST by Fighting Irish (My opinions have been forged by where I've walked - not by who I hear on the radio)
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To: hoppity
Your score is... 41

31-50 points: Your libertarian credentials are obvious. Doubtlessly you will become more extreme as time goes on.

This surprised me a bit. I thought it would be lower for some reason.

10 posted on 11/08/2006 12:56:52 PM PST by Tamar1973 (I find your lack of faith disturbing--Darth Vader, Ep. IV)
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To: hoppity

I scored a 97, which the author says, means I "have entered the heady realm of hard-core libertarianism." That's probably about right to some degree. My major problem with Libertarians though is that they would let anyone into this country (no immigration laws). So I guess I'm more of a "quasi-Libertarian."


11 posted on 11/08/2006 12:57:07 PM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: hoppity
That's a pretty long test. 64 questions. And drugs are mentioned only twice.

Whenever I talk to a Libertarian, the topic switches to drugs in about the first two minutes. Perhaps my experience is unusual, but it seems to me that legalizing drugs is a surprisingly important issue for Libs. I'm not sure the test adequately highlights how central this seems to be.

12 posted on 11/08/2006 12:57:41 PM PST by ClearCase_guy (The broken wall, the burning roof and tower. And Agamemnon dead.)
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To: BenLurkin
I noticed that as well, although i agreed with some of the 'loony' ones.

That said, I got a 69.
13 posted on 11/08/2006 12:57:44 PM PST by tfecw (It's for the children)
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To: hoppity

I scored a 37. I guess I lost points in the sex, drugs, and rock and roll catgories...


14 posted on 11/08/2006 12:58:18 PM PST by Semper Vigilantis (THIS is the America our parents warned us about.)
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To: hoppity

51-90 points: You are a medium-core libertarian, probably self-consciously so. Your friends probably encourage you to quit talking about your views so much.

I scored a 55.


15 posted on 11/08/2006 12:58:24 PM PST by kcbc2001
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To: tfecw

I didn't score as high as I thought I would.


16 posted on 11/08/2006 12:58:28 PM PST by BenLurkin ("The entire remedy is with the people." - W. H. Harrison)
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To: hoppity

bump


17 posted on 11/08/2006 12:58:39 PM PST by mnehring (Did 'True Conservatives' stab our troops in the back by not voting?)
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To: fatnotlazy

I scored an 81 but I'm a hard core objectivist. See, we aren't libertarians.


18 posted on 11/08/2006 12:58:40 PM PST by Raymann
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To: hoppity
Right-o, scored 51.

51-90 points: You are a medium-core libertarian, probably self-consciously so. Your friends probably encourage you to quit talking about your views so much.

That puts me right on the border with

31-50 points: Your libertarian credentials are obvious. Doubtlessly you will become more extreme as time goes on.

19 posted on 11/08/2006 12:58:44 PM PST by Gordongekko909 (Mark 5:9)
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To: hoppity
All Conservatives would like to thank Stan Jones for his MAJOR contribution in allowing Harry Reid to achieve his life long dream. You see, Mr. Jones got 10,166 stupid Montana voters to choice him instead of Sen. Burns. Thanks to their hard work and devotion to their convictions, San Fransisco Tester will be supporting Harry and the wackos for SIX YEARS. Words escape me in thanking you a" better America"
20 posted on 11/08/2006 12:58:53 PM PST by bybybill (`IF TH E RATS WIN, WE LOSE)
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