What this axis measures
The change axis is about method, not destination. It asks how you think political change should happen: through fundamental, rapid transformation of the system, or gradually, through existing institutions such as elections, courts and legislation. The Revolution pole represents the belief that deep problems are built into the system itself and can only be solved by transforming it. The Reform pole represents the belief that change should be gradual, tested and achieved within existing institutions, which, though imperfect, are worth preserving.
This axis is independent of the others. People on the left and right can both be revolutionary or reformist. Anarcho-communists and anarcho-capitalists both score towards Revolution because they want to abolish the state; social democrats and conservatives both score strongly towards Reform. This is why our test measures it separately: it shows how far someone wants to go and how quickly, regardless of direction.
"Revolution" doesn't mean violence
On our scale, "Revolution" means wanting a fundamental, systemic transformation, not necessarily violent upheaval. Many people who score here favour peaceful mass movements, civil disobedience, general strikes or a decisive break through elections. Items such as "Major social change usually requires mass movements, not just elections" and "Civil disobedience is justified when laws are unjust" measure this. Our test does not ask about, and does not endorse, political violence.
The Revolution pole
People scoring towards Revolution tend to believe that the system itself produces injustice, that existing parties and institutions are unable or unwilling to deliver meaningful change, that compromise usually waters down good policy, and that waiting for gradual change means accepting continued injustice. They often point to historical moments where gradual approaches failed, or where mass movements forced change that institutions resisted.
Historical fascism, Marxism-Leninism and anarcho-communism score highest. Anarcho-capitalism also scores strongly towards Revolution, since it wants to abolish the state. Libertarian socialism and green politics lean moderately towards it. As this list shows, revolutionary scores appear at very different points on the economic and authority axes.
The Reform pole
People scoring towards Reform tend to believe that existing institutions, though imperfect, contain hard-won achievements; that revolutions often produce unintended consequences and new tyrannies; that gradual change allows learning and correction; and that compromise is essential in diverse societies. Items such as "Change is best achieved through elections and gradual reform" and "Revolutions tend to cause more harm than good" sit here.
Conservatism scores most strongly towards Reform, followed by Christian democracy, paternalistic conservatism, centrism, social democracy and neoliberalism. Karl Popper's argument for "piecemeal social engineering" over utopian plans, and Burke's defence of gradual reform, are classic sources.
The middle
A middle score often suggests that you think some problems require bold, structural change while others can be handled gradually, or that you support working within institutions while also valuing protest and social movements. Many democratic socialists, progressives and Georgists sit near the middle or slightly towards Reform.
A short history of the debate
The French Revolution of 1789 set the terms of this debate. Edmund Burke warned against overthrowing institutions; Thomas Paine defended the revolution. In the nineteenth century, socialists split between revolutionaries and reformists, with Eduard Bernstein arguing for gradual evolution and Rosa Luxemburg replying in Reform or Revolution (1900). The twentieth century saw revolutions in Russia, China, Cuba and Iran, as well as peaceful transitions such as the "Velvet Revolution" in Czechoslovakia in 1989. Political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan, in Why Civil Resistance Works (2011), studied historical campaigns and argued that nonviolent ones succeeded more often than violent ones in their dataset.
A common misreading
People sometimes assume a strong Reform score means satisfaction with the status quo. It doesn't. Many reformers want large changes, such as a new healthcare system or a carbon tax, but want them introduced through legislation and phased in. Likewise, a moderate Revolution score can simply mean deep frustration with existing parties rather than a wish to overturn institutions. Read this score together with your other axes: the direction of change comes from them, and the pace comes from here.
How the test measures it
Items cover attitudes to the current system, revolution, elections, compromise, civil disobedience, protest, strikes, institutions and radical ideas. Scenarios ask how you'd pursue a change you strongly support. Items are worded in both directions.
How to read your score
Scores run from −100 (Reform) to +100 (Revolution). A strong Reform score suggests you value stability and gradual change; a strong Revolution score suggests you think fundamental transformation is needed. Remember that this measures method and pace, so compare it with your other axes to see what kind of change you want.
Questions to reflect on
- Are the biggest problems in your society caused by particular policies, or by the system itself?
- Has compromise in politics mostly helped or hurt the causes you care about?
- When, if ever, is breaking the law justified to achieve change?
- Do you trust existing institutions to correct their own mistakes?