Are You More Capitalist or Socialist?

Teresa McGlothlin

Everyone agrees that there needs to be some major changes to the U.S. government. What department would you start with?

Diplomacy is everything. Which of these countries do you think should be America's staunchest ally?

Philosopher Karl Marx argued that religion and morality are tied to economics. What's your stance?

You're the next candidate for 2020. What's the talking point you'll run on?

A local organization is planning to build a rehab center in your neighborhood. Are you the type to donate to the cause or more the type to protest?

Martin Luther King, Jr. believed that capitalism was poorly equipped to deal with injustice. What school of thought do you follow?

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Would you vote for a measure to increase it to $22 an hour?

Adam Smith, the father of capitalism, said, "Every man lives by exchanging." Put on your philosopher's hat and tell us your interpretation of his words?

This is a hot-button issue of the nation: Are you for or against tougher gun-control laws?

Education is a building block of society. But do you think teachers are paid a fair wage?

Do you like shopping at big box stores for their great deals, or do you spend a bit more at local stores to keep them in business?

Let's get down to it: Do you believe health care is a basic human right?

Champions of capitalism often say one of its benefits is consumer choice. Do you think it's a benefit or a drawback?

Do you believe in drug testing those who need state-assisted benefits?

You were just elected governor of your home state, and you have a budget to balance ASAP. Where do you start making cuts?

Let's say the president just announced an increase of military spending by 30%. Are you supportive or would you protest?

Capitalism thrives on wage labor. Socialism says it's exploitative. Where do you fall on that spectrum of belief?

What can be done to ease our border situation?

Many politicians say the minimum wage needs to be abolished entirely. Do you agree that it's outdated, or do you think it's a cornerstone of the American economy?

You put in a lot of hard work, and the company just gave your department a bonus. Do you think the money should be split equally among your department?

How do you feel about the voting age being raised to 21?

What issue would have you exercising your First Amendment right to protest peacefully?

You find $15,000. What do you do with it?

America has unprecedented amounts of student loan debt. Do you think that's par for the course, or do you think higher education should be free?

The U.S. tax system sees them as such, but are corporations really people?

British politician Jeremy Corbyn would love to have a nuclear-free world. Do you believe in aggressive nuclear disarmament?

Your boss has announced he's canning the office's pay structure and giving everyone an equal wage, which means you'll lose a few bucks. How do you feel?

Prisons are overcrowded and increasingly run for profit. What should we do about our prison system?

Feel free to be totally honest, since no one can see you: How would you rate the current president's job performance?

Stalin and Hitler were both monstrous leaders, but there's some debate as to who was a more destructive force. By your own metric, who do you think was worse?

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Image: Eric Felton / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Founded by Adam Smith, capitalism touts a free market that caters to individual self-interest. On the other hand, socialism places the focus on the greater good. Today's world is full of moral conundrums that could have us doubting which economic belief system we value and practice the most. Once you finish this quiz, you'll know where you really stand. 

While both systems sing the praises of the benefits of free speech and the right to assemble, one favors the market more than it favors a fair system that benefits all. Based a supply and demand, capitalism is said to reduce waste by allowing consumers the choice of goods and services. Socialism believes that the capitalist system neglects the needs of members of society and focuses more on wealth. As you go through these questions, your every opinion will be counted so that we can figure out where your belief system really lies. 

There's no right way or wrong way to respond, and we encourage freedom of thought and expression. When you read the moral and political problems we present, take a moment to connect with your truest thoughts before you respond. After you've told us what you think, we'll tell you if you are a capitalist or a socialist at heart. You might think you already know, but do you?

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