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This section is not yet completed but is to be tentatively completed by Dr. House.

Before it is completed, can I question, in terms of Marxism, the philosphical understanding of a controlled market and a liberal market?

Before we venture too far, the concept of a market and consumer preferences are constructed and limited within a specific mode of production. In terms of Marxism, the whole concept of socialisation of the production process along with the ownership, would place me in the liberal market, NOT the controlled market. However, Marxists do no support the policies and structure of a liberal market. I remember I originally had answered the questions as support for a controlled market, however, having actually read more into Marxism after that point, I've realised that Marxism is far from being a controlled market and more open to socialised structures of the economy.

Again, we must keep in mind though that if the questions are kept in the understanding of the markets and consumer preferences being constructed and limited by a specific mode of production, the questions themselves will be viewed in these terms and not in terms of any ideology, outside of liberalism.

Again, we must keep in mind though that if the questions are kept in the understanding of the markets and consumer preferences being constructed and limited by a specific mode of production, the questions themselves will be viewed in these terms and not in terms of any ideology, outside of liberalism.

This is an important point. Any possible political quiz is not itself politically 'innocent'; that is, the questions must be conceptualised and posed from a particular political and ideological 'place'. This 'place' is, of course, early 21st century Western capitalism. There will therefore be some political positions (such as Marxism) which cannot be captured from that 'place'; they are literally not thinkable within the conceptual framework which defines the quiz. I see no way to avoid this. We simply have to be aware of the problem as we are posing the questions and defining the axes.

Might it be worth noting somewhere in the start of the question? A major problem I have with newbie-commies on this board is that they assume that Marxism = controlled economy, in terms of liberalism. We are thus defining them in these terms without proper understanding that they are viewed in this poll as being Marxist, based upon the definition of liberalism itself.

Might it be worth noting somewhere in the start of the question?

Noting what? And to what end?

A major problem I have with newbie-commies on this board is that they assume that Marxism = controlled economy, in terms of liberalism. We are thus defining them in these terms without proper understanding that they are viewed in this poll as being Marxist, based upon the definition of liberalism itself.

That's because newbie-commies define their 'Marxist' position from within the conceptual framework of bourgeois liberalism. They have not yet gone beyond the horizon of bourgeois liberalism, and their 'Marxism' therefore takes a distorted and vulgarised form. I don't see what can be done about that, especially within the framework of a political quiz.

Potemkin wrote:I don't see what can be done about that, especially within the framework of a political quiz.

Again, with the disclaimer. Maybe with the understanding of the present structure of society or within the philsophy of Western 21st century liberalism in mind. I can't seem to get the just of what I'm trying to say but some definition of what is meant by Controlled and Liberal market would be of great use before one actually answers the questions.

You know, it is a good point, and as this is the last undefined axis, House having proved his unreliability, so taking time to define it isn't out of the question. Oddly enough I was sort of wondering about it, thinking it would more or less serve to refine the non-Marxists into roughly social dems and liberals or something? I don't know...

Controlled Market vs. Liberal Market

1. Businesses cannot be trusted to regulate themselves.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

2. Individuals acting in their own self-interest will lead to positive social outcomes via the invisible hand of the market.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

3. Monopolies are impossible in a free market.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

4. Government action is needed to stimulate the economy during economic downturns.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

5. The free market leads to the most efficient allocation of resources.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

6. Private property rights are fundamental to a healthy economy.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

7. Market solutions are inadequate for managing the commons.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

8. There are certain public services which are best provided by government.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

9. Central banks are needed to control the money supply.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

10. Government intervention inevitably creates more problems than it solves.

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree

Adopting communism would greatly improve the standard of living for all

A) Strongly Agree
B) Agree
C) No Opinion
D) Disagree
E) Strongly Disagree