Are You More Capitalist or Socialist?

By: Teresa McGlothlin

6 Min Quiz

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?

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

Department of Homeland Security

Department of the Treasury
Department of Environmental Protection

Department of Energy

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

Mexico

England
Saudi Arabia

Germany

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

I completely agree. Religion is big business.

I think you are less moral when you are rich.
Morals and religion have nothing to do with the economy.

I think they are interlinked for some people.

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

National security

Health care
The national budget

Equality

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?

Other people's issues are not our problem.

I think it's a wonderful idea. It's much needed.
I hope it's not a free clinic! I'm not paying for that.

I like the idea of a clinic. Not in my neighborhood, though.

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

Capitalism knows no justice.

It's true! Just look at the prison industry.
It's not the economy's fault.

I agree to an extent. Rich people do get better lawyers.

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

I can think of more important reasons to vote.

I think that's fair.
I would vote to turn it down.

I would vote for a higher minimum wage, but that's more than I make.

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?

I think it means life is a series of give and take.

He's referring to exchanging commodities for a profit.
He saying if you want something you have to work for it.

He could be talking about the exchange of ideas.

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

Get your hands off my Second Amendment!

Gun laws should be much more strict.
I'm against tougher laws, but some laws need to be revised.

Honestly, I don't know enough about the subject.

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

I think everyone should be homeschooling.

Teachers should be paid as much as doctors.
They knew how much they were going to be paid before they became a teacher.

I have no idea how much teachers earn.

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?

I would rather make it myself.

Supporting local business is extremely important.
I look for the best bargain.

I'll pay a little more but not a crazy amount.

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

It should be, but it's not.

It's a fundamental human right.
Get a job and get insurance.

I think any system would work better than what we have now.

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

It does lead to higher quality products by increasing competition.

We don't need as many things as we have. Too much choice can be a bad thing.
It's the best part of the whole free-market system. We get to choose what we do and do not want.

It's good to have choices, but it creates a lot of waste.

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

People should strive to avoid needing assistance from the government.

It's morally corrupt.
It should be mandatory.

If there's suspicion, people should be tested.

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

Transportation and highways can spare a little.

I wouldn't make cuts. I would raise the cost of doing business.
I would trim the fat by cutting public housing.

We do not need so many state workers. I would streamline the workforce.

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

He'll do what he wants with or without my approval.

I 100% disapprove of that decision.
The president knows best, and I support him.

If we were at war, I would approve it.

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

I think it's better to own your own business and pocket as much money as you can.

It is exploitative. People should not be bribed to work for money like horses and carrots.
Without wage labor, our system wouldn't work.

A hard day's work deserves a decent day's pay.

What can be done to ease our border situation?

Borders should be open.

We should send aid to countries people are fleeing.
We really need to complete the wall. Now!

The entire immigration system should be overhauled.

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?

Abolishing it is a recipe for disaster.

Absolutely not!
It's the only way to go. People expect too much.

If employers paid fairly, it would be OK.

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?

Those who did the most work should get more.

Of course it should.
Bosses and executives should get the biggest cut.

Bosses and executives should give up their cut.

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

Many things about voting could be changed, but age is not one of them.

People do make more mature choices at that age.
If you're old enough to be in the military at 18, you're old enough to vote.

I actually think the voting age should be lowered.

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

Voter suppression

Immigrant detention camps
Presidential impeachment proceedings

The potential of heading into war

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

I'm going to keep building my underground bunker.

I'm sure I'll give some of it to charity.
That's a good chunk to invest.

I'll save some and pay off a few things.

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?

There should be more self-education in the world.

Education should be free for everyone.
If you can't pay off a loan, don't get a loan. If you want a good school, pay for it.

It doesn't need to be free, but it should cost a lot less.

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

That's not exactly right.

Corporations seem to have more rights than people.
Corporate personhood is necessary to protect the market.

They are not people, but they have rights and responsibilities that people benefit from.

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

That's the last thing we need.

I completely agree with him.
We need nuclear technology for power and for weaponry.

I think we could skip the nuclear missiles.

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?

I am the boss.

That's awesome! It's about time.
I'm going to file a grievance.

It depends what you mean by "a few dollars."

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

We need tougher punishments.

Better education would solve a lot of problems.
There's nothing we can do. Some people are always going to break the law.

We could do away with privately run prisons.

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

Pitiful

Lackluster
Great

As good as any other president

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?

That's kind of a toss-up.

Hitler was far more dangerous.
They were both horrible.

Stalin was simply insane.

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

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