Categories explained

Society wealth creation. People are either interested in making society more wealthy (through extraction of resource, the export of goods and products and the development of new technology) or they are interested in getting a greater share of the existing wealth pie (rent-seeking behaviour). Rarely is an individual actively interested in both activities; it’s a mind-set thing.

Society wealth distribution. People either want more than their fair share and can’t see why wealth should be shared equally (rent-seekers again) or they believe in equal distribution normally via government taxes and expenditure, quite independently of their own wealth position.

Society opportunity distribution. The rent-seekers typically want more opportunities for kith and kin whereas the fair-minded old-school socialists think that where possible opportunities should be equal for all people, even if outcomes are not.

Civil & Political rights. Some people think that legal rights are critical for a good life and a good and just society. Basically, the right of law is greater than politicians, who are governors not rulers. However others don’t care, some take it all for granted and yet others are aware than an over-reliance on legal rights has negative consequences, e.g. political correctness and an curtailing of personal freedoms.

Human & Social rights. These are very closely related to civil and political rights but extend to all people on the planet and not just citizens of the society that an individual lives in. For some these are the guiding principles that should drive all governments and legal systems. Others simply couldn’t give a rat’s arse.

Personal freedom. For some this is the most important role of government; to maintain personal freedom just like a rabbit in the headlights of Bentham’s fast-approaching lorry. Many, many people do not consider this issue important since they don’t know any better.

Pro-change anti-conservatism. At one end of the spectrum people embrace change (e.g. the internet and smart phones and the changes they are wreaking on society). People at the other end of the spectrum hate change and actively oppose it. Some conservatives even want to wind back the clock to say the 1950s, to a mirage of happier times.

Environment. Some people are very concerned that we are destroying our own habitat. Others don’t care or choose not believe because the changes that have to be made to address these concerns don’t suit them, on a daily basis.