Recently I was faced with the problem of Identifying a friends political standpoint. I was rapidly frustrated at the inadequacy of labels to do this.

What is in a label? Conservative, Liberal, Democrat, Fascist these are all more or less meaningless phrases because they have been redefined so many times. For the record here is what each, and some others actually means. I will reduce commentary significantly.

Generic and overused terms

Conservative prefers to keep things the way they are now, or perhaps to return to the way things formerly were.

Liberal prefers to implement new systems, usually favors egalitarian social systems, socialist economics and strong emphasis on human unity and universal fraternity (and sorority!)

Collectivist systems

Socialist implements socialist economic systems based on communal (government) ownership of the means of production Central planning of resource allocation and labor assignment. The State is to be obeyed without asking questions as this is in the best interest of the common man [factually inaccurate]. Wealth and private property are immoral and are to be equally distributed among the people.

Communist meaningless term.

Marxist (permutation on socialism) believes that capitalism is based upon exploitation of workers [factually inaccurate]. Opposes “class” and has complex psychological analysis of the idea. Favours violent revolution of “workers” against “owners” and “elite”. Emphasis on “class struggle” the rival classes manouver for dominance, revisionist histories. Is based upon the discredited science of dialectical materialism.

Syndicalist (permutation on socialism) seeks to implement socialist economics and social policy by action of unionized labor. Syndicalism is compatible with private property. Holds that the means of production are collectively owned by their users. This theory, in its purest form is virtually impossible to implement in practice, however a very similar concept has been implemented by some co-ops

Statist theories

[Note: Statist means, favoring the state]

Corporatist Similar to Monarchist. The corporatist effectively or actually replaces the state with corporations or other large scale business operations. Policy changes depending on profits and is therefore amorphous.

Monarchist favors setting up an individual, to rule all the people autocratically. May be bound by some sort of constitution. perhaps not. Effectively government owned by a private individual or family. Positions usually hereditary. Obsolete.

Fascist Fascism is a sort of political nihilism. Since there are no principles fascists do whatever appears necessary without regards to any sort of “rights” or “duty” at all, whatsoever, a form of extreme utilitarianism. The needs and interests of the state are paramount. Much of the history of the twentieth century was the struggle of fascism against Marxist socialism. Has no set system of ethics, no set system of economics, no set system of sociology. Amorphous and can, at any one time, appear to be something else completely, compare modern China. Avoid this term, it has become too charged for use in sensible discussions.

Liberty or Deontology based Systems

Liberterian generic meaningless term which encompasses all of the following. Avoid this term, it is excessively vauge

Anarchist believes in no government. There are two broad denominations of this theory, those focused in the individual (individualist anarchism) and those focused upon groups or masses of people (social, communitarian or communal anarchism). Avoid this term except in technical contexts, it has become to charged for use in sensible discussions and has negative connotations that are not incumbent upon its definition.

Anarcho-Capitalist (permutation on anarchist) also called agorist. Form of anarchism which focuses upon self-sovereignty as well as the principle of non-aggression politically, economically extremely pure capitalist, markets restrained only by principle of non-aggression. Very philosophical, uses praxeology and logical exclusion to argue a very libertarian [old sense of the word] ethic. Because of this does not hold that morality can be enforced in court, Legal code and social system based solely upon torts and contracts.

[Note: I consider all other forms of individualist anarchism to be theoretically similar enough to be lumped under this heading. I am intentionally excluding somewhat obsolete European traditions with other economic trappings for various reasons.]

Insurrectionary Anarchist (permutation on anarchist) revolutionary praxis of anarchism, often with socialistic overtones. Opposes all large scale formal organization, favors small affinity groups and violent direct action. Incompatible with individualist anarchisms.

Illegalist (sub-permutation of any permutation on anarchist) In favour of intentionally undertaking criminality as a lifestyle or protest movement (propaganda of the deed). The theoretical underpinnings of this theory are sometimes nihilistic. This theory is responsible for the public image of anarchists as fanatics with lit bombs or terrorists. Often coupled with an egoist standpoint.

Neo-Libertarian (U.S. Only) fuses elements of anarchism with elements of statism with elements of chauvinism. Very confusing.

Minarchist holds that the state should be minimal in size and power and as many functions as possible privatized. A compromise position between fascism and anarchism. Most people who call themselves libertarian are actually this. As such, this is a very broad term and has no 100% agreed upon set of civic policies, typically opposes laws relating to guns, sex, drugs, private property and business etc. Dim view of taxes. Generally disapproves of social works programs such as Social Security, Medicare, usually disapproves of foreign policy adventures, however usually accepts voluntary military. Note: a very literal interpretation of the constitution leads to essentially this view, therefore some ~ disapprove of the army which is unconstitutional.

Paleo-Libertarian (permutation on minarchist) same as minarchist, but with anti-libertine opinion. Growing in popularity.