The Structure axis: Local vs Central
This axis asks where power should sit. Should regions, cities and communities decide for themselves, or should one national government set the same rules everywhere?
13 statements in the test score this axis. Agreeing with some moves you toward Local, with others toward Central.
What the Structure axis measures
Structure is about the level of government that gets the final say. It covers local control of schools, police, housing and taxes. It also covers who decides when a region and the national government disagree.
It does not say how democratic any level is. It only asks which level should hold power. Scores run from -100 (fully Local) to +100 (fully Central).
Sample statements
These are real statements from the test. Each one is keyed to this axis, in one direction or the other.
“Regions should be able to set many of their own laws, even if rules then differ across the country.”
“Decisions should be made at the most local level possible.”
“The same laws should apply in every part of the country.”
“The national government should be able to overrule regional governments when they disagree.”
What the Local end means
People at the Local end believe that decisions work best close to the people they affect. A town knows its own needs better than a distant capital. Local rule also lets communities try different ideas, and people can move to the place whose rules suit them.
Switzerland is a common example, where its cantons keep wide powers. In the United States, the founders known as Anti-Federalists feared a strong central government. Supporters of the Local view say that spreading power also makes it harder to abuse.
- They tend to trust town halls and regional councils more than distant ministries.
- They often argue that areas should be free to try different rules and learn from each other.
- They usually want neighbors to have a real voice in how their own streets are watched.
- They like to see local bodies raise and spend most of the money for their own area.
Who sits at the Local end
- Peter Kropotkin-100
- Emma Goldman-95
- Mikhail Bakunin-95
- Murray Rothbard-95
- Pierre-Joseph Proudhon-95
- Ron Paul-90
What the Central end means
People at the Central end believe that a country is stronger and fairer when it acts as one. The same laws and standards in every region mean that where you live does not decide your rights. One national government can also act quickly on big problems.
They point out that regional rule can lead to a patchwork of rules, which can be confusing and unfair. France is often described as a country with a long tradition of central government. Supporters say a clear final authority avoids deadlock between levels.
- They tend to believe that people everywhere should enjoy the same rights and rules.
- They often want one set of school and service standards so that no region lags behind.
- They usually see a single national voice as the clearest way to settle disputes between regions.
- They often argue that big shared problems need one coordinated answer rather than many.
Who sits at the Central end
- Fidel Castro+85
- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk+85
- Che Guevara+80
- Getúlio Vargas+80
- Thomas Hobbes+80
- Alexander Hamilton+75
Scores near the middle
A score near zero often means you want both. You might want national rules on rights and defense but local choice on planning, schools or policing. Many countries share power between levels in this way. People often switch sides depending on the issue, and may favor the level that agrees with them.
Common mix-ups
Local means small government. No. Local governments can be large and spend a lot. This axis is about which level decides, not how much the state does.
Central means dictatorship. No. A national government can be fully democratic. The Authority axis, not this one, covers limits on leaders.
A Local score means you want regions to split off. Not usually. Most Local-leaning people want more regional power inside one country. Only one statement in the test asks about regional votes on independence.
How it relates to other axes
Authority: Structure is about which level holds power. Authority is about how much that power is checked. A strong national leader and a strong regional leader can both score high on Authority.
Welfare: Welfare is about how much support to share. Structure is about who sets the rules. People who want a generous safety net sometimes choose national control to keep it equal, and others prefer local choice.
FAQ
Is Local the same as federalism?
Close, but not identical. Federalism is a system that splits power between levels. Local-leaning people usually want that split to favor the regions.
Is a high Central score right-wing or left-wing?
Neither. People of all political views favor central control when it helps their own goals, and local control when it does not. That is why this axis sits apart from the economic ones.
Does this axis depend on my country?
The questions are written in general terms, so they fit many countries. Your score shows your general view on where power should sit, whatever your country's system is.
Can I be Local on structure but Strong leader on authority?
Yes. You might want power held by regions and also want strong leadership inside each one. These are separate questions, so the test scores them apart.
Where do you sit on Structure?
Take the test