16 Values vs 12 Axes

The two tests use different frameworks. The 12 axes test measures the classic twelve axes of government, diplomacy, economy and society. The 16 values test covers sixteen dimensions across economy, state power, nation and worldview — including four worldview axes about how we know things, how we live, and how decisions should be made.

	16 Values Test	12 Axes Test
Dimensions	16 — economy, state, nation, worldview	12 — government, diplomacy, economy, society
Questions	61	60
Time	5–7 minutes	About 5 minutes
Science × Faith	Yes	No
Technology × Simplicity	Yes	No
Individual × Collective	Yes	No
Pragmatism × Idealism	Yes	No
Security × Freedom	Yes	Yes
Federal × Unitary	Yes	Yes
Militarist × Pacifist	No	Yes
Secular × Religious	No	Yes
Planned × Laissez-Faire	No	Yes
Protectionism × Globalism	No	Yes
Acceleration × Bioconservative	No	Yes
Free & anonymous	Yes	Yes

The four extra dimensions

The 16 values test measures four worldview axes that the classic 12 axes framework does not include: science (evidence vs faith), technology (innovation vs simplicity), individualism (individual vs collective) and pragmatism (results vs principles). These capture how you think, not just how you want the state organised.

Which one should you take?

Both tests are free, anonymous and take about five minutes, so the real question is what you want to understand about yourself. Here is how to decide.

Take the 12 axes test if your questions are mainly about institutions and the classic political framework: federalism, democracy, security, militarism, religion, trade and tradition. It covers government, diplomacy, economy and society in twelve dimensions.
Take the 16 values test if you also want to understand your worldview: trust in science and faith, attitudes to technology, the individual versus the group, and results versus principles. These four extra dimensions capture how you think, not just how you want the state organised.

A useful way to think about it: the 12 axes test answers "how should society be run?", while the 16 values test also answers "how should we decide what is true and what is worth doing?". If your political self-understanding includes questions of faith, progress and evidence, the 16 values test will give you a noticeably more complete profile.

Because the two tests use different frameworks, their scores are not directly comparable. Pick the framework whose questions interest you more — you can always take both.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between the 16 values and 12 axes tests?

The two tests use different frameworks rather than one being a shorter version of the other. The 16 values test covers sixteen dimensions across economy, state power, nation and worldview — including science, technology, individualism and pragmatism. The 12 axes test uses the classic 12-axis framework across government, diplomacy, economy and society — including militarism, religion and trade policy. Pick the set of questions you care about most.

Which test is better for a quick result?

Both take about five minutes. The 12 axes test uses roughly 60 questions and the 16 values test uses 61, so the time difference is negligible. Choose based on what you want to learn, not on speed.

Why does the 16 values test include worldview dimensions?

Political position is not only about how the state should be organised — it is also about how you know things, how you live, and how decisions should be made. The four extra worldview axes (science, technology, individualism, pragmatism) capture that side, giving a fuller picture of a worldview than institutional preferences alone.

Take the 16 Values Test

Or try the 12 Axes Test.