Edmund Burke vs Thomas Paine on the 12 Axes
Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine argued in print over the French Revolution, Burke defending inherited institutions and Paine defending revolutionary change. They split most sharply on Religion and Welfare, with Burke leaning Religious and Self-reliant and Paine leaning Secular and Shared.
- Religion
Edmund Burke leans Religious (+50), Thomas Paine leans Secular (-65): 115 points apart.
- Welfare
Edmund Burke leans Self-reliant (+60), Thomas Paine leans Shared (-50): 110 points apart.
- Morality
Edmund Burke leans Traditional (+60), Thomas Paine leans Progressive (-30): 90 points apart.
- Security
Edmund Burke leans Order (+30), Thomas Paine leans Liberty (-50): 80 points apart.
- Trade
Both lean Global: -40 and -55.
All 12 axes, side by side
| Axis | Edmund Burke | Thomas Paine | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| OwnershipPublic to Private | +50 | +10 | 40 |
| MarketsPlanned to Free | +60 | +20 | 40 |
| WelfareShared to Self-reliant | +60 | -50 | 110 |
| AuthorityDemocratic to Strong leader | 0 | -75 | 75 |
| SecurityLiberty to Order | +30 | -50 | 80 |
| StructureLocal to Central | -20 | +10 | 30 |
| MoralityProgressive to Traditional | +60 | -30 | 90 |
| ReligionSecular to Religious | +50 | -65 | 115 |
| TechnologyEmbrace to Caution | No record | No record | - |
| CultureMulticultural to National identity | +30 | -45 | 75 |
| TradeGlobal to Protected | -40 | -55 | 15 |
| Foreign policyCooperation to Strength | +30 | -35 | 65 |
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 Edmund Burke or Thomas Paine?
Take the 12 Axes test and see your match with both, axis by axis.
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How similar are Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine?
On the 11 axes where both have a documented position, their profiles are 63% close on the 12 Axes scale. They differ most on Religion, Welfare, Morality, Security.
Who is more economically left-wing, Edmund Burke or Thomas Paine?
Thomas Paine sits further toward the collective end of the Economy family (ownership, markets and welfare), by 63 points on average.
Who favours more personal liberty, Edmund Burke or Thomas Paine?
On the State family (authority, security and structure), Thomas Paine leans further toward liberty and checks on power, by 42 points on average.