Military axis
Militarist vs Pacifist
When, if ever, is military force the right answer?
Most people land near the middle: a military for defence, war as a last resort. The edges are where it gets interesting, from compulsory service and toppling hostile regimes on one side to abolishing armies on the other.
Militarist
A strong military keeps a country safe and respected, and force is a legitimate tool of foreign policy.
Statements that score Militarist
- “War is needed to make an economy thrive.”
- “Military action by our nation is often necessary to protect it.”
- “A government must maintain a strong military to defend itself.”
Pacifist
Diplomacy should always come first. Military spending is mostly waste and war is rarely, if ever, justified.
Statements that score Pacifist
- “War is never justified.”
- “Humanity has passed the point in which war is needed for resources.”
- “It is more important to retain peaceful relations than to further our strength.”
In practice
Where it shows up
It comes up over defence budgets and conscription, sending weapons to allies, military interventions abroad, nuclear deterrence, and whether armies should be used at home in emergencies.
A common misunderstanding
Supporting a strong defence is not the same as wanting war, and pacifism is not only a left-wing position: Christian pacifists, libertarians who oppose foreign wars and many neutral countries all score toward that end.
Reading your score
Scores between 35% and 60% describe the common view of an army for defence and force as a last resort. Above 75% you see military strength as a normal tool of policy; below 20% you reject armed force almost entirely.
Historical figures at each end
Where the thinkers and leaders in our figure set stand on this axis.
Result labels
Your score is the percentage toward Militarist. The label shown on your result depends on which band it falls in.
- 91-100%Expansionist
- 76-90%Militarist
- 61-75%Military-Focused
- 40-60%Neutral
- 25-39%Non-Aggressive
- 10-24%Pacifist
- 0-9%Anti-War
Where do you land on military?
Take the test to see your score on this axis and the other eleven.
Take the 12 Axes test