PoliticalTests

19 figures mapped

Political Views of Famous Economists

Economists from Adam Smith and Karl Marx to Keynes, Hayek and Friedman, placed on the 12 axes from their own writings, so you can see where their economics and their wider politics meet.

Take the 12 Axes test Filter all figures

Each dot is one figure: economic views across, the mean of the civil and society axes up and down. Hover or tap a dot for the name.

6Economic left
3Near the economic centre
10Economic right

Up and down the compass: 2 on the authority side, 6 near the middle and 11 on the liberty side.

All 19

  1. 1723-1790 · United KingdomAdam SmithMoral philosopherLib right
  2. 1806-1873 · United KingdomJohn Stuart MillPhilosopher and economistLib left
  3. 1818-1883 · GermanyKarl MarxPhilosopherLib left
  4. 1839-1897 · United StatesHenry GeorgePolitical economistCentre
  5. 1864-1920 · GermanyMax WeberSociologist and political economistAuth right
  6. 1871-1919 · GermanyRosa LuxemburgMarxist theoristLib left
  7. 1879-1963 · United KingdomWilliam BeveridgeAuthor of the Beveridge Report (1942)Auth left
  8. 1881-1973 · AustriaLudwig von MisesEconomist of the Austrian schoolLib right
  9. 1883-1946 · United KingdomJohn Maynard KeynesEconomistLib left
  10. 1891-1956 · IndiaB. R. AmbedkarChairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution of IndiaLib left
  11. 1897-1977 · GermanyLudwig ErhardChancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (1963-1966)Auth right
  12. 1899-1992 · AustriaFriedrich HayekEconomist and political philosopherLib right
  13. 1912-2006 · United StatesMilton FriedmanEconomist at the University of ChicagoLib right
  14. 1917-2001 · BrazilRoberto CamposMinister of Planning (1964-1967)Lib right
  15. 1926-1995 · United StatesMurray RothbardEconomist of the Austrian schoolLib right
  16. Born 1930 · United StatesThomas SowellEconomist and social theoristAuth right
  17. 1932-2024 · IndiaManmohan Singh14th Prime Minister of India (2004-2014)Lib right
  18. Born 1947 · BrazilDilma RousseffPresident of Brazil (2011-2016)Lib left
  19. Born 1959 · CanadaStephen Harper22nd Prime Minister of Canada (2006-2015)Auth right

★ 12 axes · 4 groups · 3 lengths ★

Who is your historical twin?

Take the 12 Axes test and see where you land next to the 19 figures on this page, and which three are closest to you.

FAQ

Economists: questions

Which economists are on the map?

19 economists and political economists, born between 1723 to 1959. Of them, 6 sit on the economic left, 3 near the centre and 10 on the economic right.

Is economic left and right the whole story?

No. Two economists can agree on markets and differ on civil liberties, religion or foreign policy. The full profile of each shows all 12 axes.

How are these positions worked out?

Each person is placed on the 12 axes of the 12 Axes Political Test from their own speeches, writings, votes and record in office, with sources on every profile page. The map shows two of those measures: economic views across, and the mean of the civil and society axes up and down. Axes with no reasonable basis are left blank and do not count.

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