

Bernie Sanders vs Rand Paul on the 12 Axes
Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul are both US Senators, from Vermont and Kentucky. They differ sharply on welfare, Shared for Sanders and Self-reliant for Paul, yet both lean Democratic on authority, and they split on trade, Protected for Sanders against Global for Paul.
- Welfare
Bernie Sanders leans Shared (-80), Rand Paul leans Self-reliant (+70): 150 points apart.
- Markets
Bernie Sanders leans Planned (-50), Rand Paul leans Free (+85): 135 points apart.
- Ownership
Bernie Sanders leans Public (-50), Rand Paul leans Private (+75): 125 points apart.
- Trade
Bernie Sanders leans Protected (+50), Rand Paul leans Global (-65): 115 points apart.
- Authority
Both lean Democratic: -55 and -35.
All 12 axes, side by side
| Axis | Bernie Sanders | Rand Paul | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| OwnershipPublic to Private | -50 | +75 | 125 |
| MarketsPlanned to Free | -50 | +85 | 135 |
| WelfareShared to Self-reliant | -80 | +70 | 150 |
| AuthorityDemocratic to Strong leader | -55 | -35 | 20 |
| SecurityLiberty to Order | No record | -50 | - |
| StructureLocal to Central | +30 | -65 | 95 |
| MoralityProgressive to Traditional | -55 | +45 | 100 |
| ReligionSecular to Religious | No record | No record | - |
| TechnologyEmbrace to Caution | +40 | No record | - |
| CultureMulticultural to National identity | No record | +20 | - |
| TradeGlobal to Protected | +50 | -65 | 115 |
| Foreign policyCooperation to Strength | -50 | -10 | 40 |
Scores run from -100 to +100 and come from each profile's documented positions. Closeness compares only the axes both have on record. It measures similar positions, not endorsement. How profiles work
Closer to Bernie Sanders or Rand Paul?
Take the 12 Axes test and see your match with both, axis by axis.
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How similar are Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul?
On the 8 axes where both have a documented position, their profiles are 47% close on the 12 Axes scale. They differ most on Welfare, Markets, Ownership, Trade.
Who is more economically left-wing, Bernie Sanders or Rand Paul?
Bernie Sanders sits further toward the collective end of the Economy family (ownership, markets and welfare), by 137 points on average.
Who favours more personal liberty, Bernie Sanders or Rand Paul?
On the State family (authority, security and structure), Rand Paul leans further toward liberty and checks on power, by 38 points on average.





