quote:Democrat - This includes some left and center-left Western parties. The French Communists and Socialists or in the US the Progressive Caucus or left wing of the Democrats would likely fit in this label. The French policy of laicite, dating back to the French Revolution, is the perfect embodiment of the democrat rating. Laicite is very secular, even to the point of being anti-clerical, and is the reason God is a taboo subject in the realm of politics, and why religious items are banned from student wardrobes in schools. The democrats of this scale go beyond legal equality and use the force of government and law to secure social equality - through affirmative action, quotas, hiring reforms, special ethnic apportionments in legislatures, and other policies aimed to correct even indrect discrimination. The rating 'democrat' is NOT the same thing as a US Democratic party member.
Planner - Few Democrats fit here, but FDR is probably the most aggressive move in this direction, followed by LBJ. They believe that the market is useful for many areas, but overall it is too chaotic, irrational or unfair, and it takes the keen eye of the state or bureaucracy to correct market imperfections. They support nationalization of industries, guaranteed employment for all, massive welfare entitlements, and massive public works. They associate economic success with high employment, high production, and massive government involvement; the super-rich are usually allowed to still exist normally, but less so in business or managerial capacities. Ultimately, the market is either short-sighted or unfair, and some outside force must step in to correct it.
“Faith moves mountains, but only knowledge moves them to the right place” -- Joseph Goebbels