In the fast-changing political landscape, the supposedly informed sectors of society are often struggling to catch up with views and the perspectives they agree on. They are often left with the second thought of where they truly fit in the political landscape.
In partnership with digital information analysts Kieskompas and the Australian National University's Social Research Centre, Fairfax Media has come up with a survey that identifies where citizens sit on their country's political landscape. The project is called the Political Persona Project.
Originally designed for Australians, the researchers surveyed 2600 Australians from all walks of life, from rich to poor, young to old, living in the city and countryside. Then, through rigorous data analysis, clusters of like-minded people who gathered around particular issues, were compared and classified into seven political tribes - progressive cosmopolitans, activist egalitarians, ambitious savers, lavish mod-cons, prudent traditionalists, disillusioned pessimists and anti-establishment firebrands.
The interactive tool is relevant to political agendas in many countries, especially the United States, considering the challenges that the nation is presently faced with. Americans are swallowed up by a swelling number of questions in their heads, some of which observes President Trump's peculiar mix of populism and the mishmash of his intense nationalism. With his turbocharged attempt to change the direction of the United States and showing no absolute respect for the constitution in the process, the traditional political labels are left challenged, leaving conventional wisdom in the politics scrambling to catch up, says Sydney Morning Herald.
Apart from looking at what divides the people of different political views, the survey provides an insight into what they can largely agree on. In the previously conducted surveys in Australia, there were often noticeable divides between those confident about the future and their place in it, and those who feel adrift.
The most divided results were also found in people's confidence towards society and attitudes to change. It suggests that the Australian population cleaved almost in half between the disenchanted and the hopeful. Meanwhile, the researchers are hoping that more citizens will obtain a better sense of where they sit in the fast-changing political landscape through the interactive survey.
