Left Populism vs Right Populism
Left populism frames politics as a conflict between ordinary people and economic elites and favors redistribution, public services and protection of workers from global markets.
- Politics is a struggle between the common people and an economic and political elite.
- Wealth and income should be redistributed through taxes and public programs.
- Key services and sometimes strategic industries should be in public hands.
Right populism frames politics as ordinary people versus political and cultural elites and favors national sovereignty, border control, law and order and traditional values.
- Politics is a contest between ordinary citizens and political and cultural elites.
- National sovereignty should take priority over international institutions and agreements.
- Immigration should be reduced and closely controlled.
- Left Populism: petals and stars
- Right Populism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Ownership80 points apart
Left Populism: Public (moderate). Right Populism: Private (mild).
- Morality75 points apart
Left Populism: Progressive (mild). Right Populism: Traditional (moderate).
- Foreign policy75 points apart
Left Populism: Strength (mild). Right Populism: Strength (strong).
- Culture70 points apart
Left Populism: National identity (mild). Right Populism: National identity (strong).
★ Where they are closest
- Technology · 5 apart
- Structure · 10 apart
- Trade · 15 apart
Axis by axis
Right Populism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipModerate: Public75%25%PublicPrivate
- MarketsModerate: Planned80%20%PlannedFree
- WelfareStrong: Shared85%15%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityMild: Strong leader38%62%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityBalanced48%52%LibertyOrder
- StructureMild: Central43%57%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityMild: Progressive60%40%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionMild: Secular55%45%SecularReligious
- TechnologyMild: Caution40%60%EmbraceCaution
- CultureMild: National identity45%55%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeModerate: Protected20%80%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyMild: Strength45%55%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Left Populism or Right Populism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Left Populism or Right Populism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Left Populism vs Right Populism
What is the difference between Left Populism and Right Populism?
Left populism frames politics as a conflict between ordinary people and economic elites and favors redistribution, public services and protection of workers from global markets. Right populism frames politics as ordinary people versus political and cultural elites and favors national sovereignty, border control, law and order and traditional values. On the 12 axes they differ most on ownership, morality, foreign policy.
What do Left Populism and Right Populism have in common?
Their positions are closest on technology, structure, trade. Overall their profiles are a 72% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Left Populism or Right Populism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.