My political agenda
The “Political Compass” project by the IEDPQ organization is quite interesting for a test and manages to do not only a qualitative appraisal of political ideas but also a quantitative one through measuring the importance of various subject versus the subject’s answer.
The bad side is that the test (although tedious) still feels incomplete. The questions are taken out of those most trodded upon by the media, not necessarely those that people care about the most. The recent wage increase issue isn’t among them for example, just like many other ardent problems. Of course, I understand that “micromanagement” issues don’t really fit here but it appeals to the “realism” (if I can say that) of the test.
At the test’s end, the subject has the opportunity to test his/her views against the declared views of the mainstream political parties. This is interesting and would be relevant too if said parties would actually have a coherent position regarding the subjects to which they would stick to and eventually enforce (note: this is the reason why I’m so dissapointed by the romanian political scene - everything is for trade, no party has a position which they really believe in).
Given this, I will present here my political agenda as it came out of the test:
1. Do you think the state should get actively involved in the economy and the regulation of the business environment?
My answer: partially agree - the international crisis was caused mostly by unregulated trade on all banking markets. The chaotic “pure capitalist” environment doesn’t work, the state needs at least some legal reigns to pull every now and then.
Closest party to this view: PSD (exact match).
2. Should the state get involved in the negotiations between syndicates and the patronage?
My answer: no - save for the laws that protect the worker, the state shouldn’t intervene in other ways. Of course, the state is separated into the three powers: the legislative, the executive and the judicial and the latter can always be called in to settle matters, so a degree of involvment on the state’s part is unavoidable.
Closest party to this view: PNL/PNTCD (moderate ‘no’)
3. Do you think that the Rosia Montana gold exploitation project should go ahead on the cyanide-based exploitation technology?
My answer: No, regardless of technology - this project is a danger to the environment and regardless of the compensation offered to the people of the area, ecological damanges can’t be repaired.
Closest party to this view: PNL/PRM (exact match)
4. Do you think that everyone should pay an equal share of taxes or that people who earn more should be taxed more?
My answer: taxes should be different according to income level - the world shouldn’t be a jungle and while it’s good that there are smart people who can make more money, we shouldn’t allow too much of a gap between social classes, if we are going to maintain that people are equal.
Closest party to this view: PSD/PNTCD
5. What is the best solution to level the retirement age for men and women in your opinion?
My answer: retirement ages should be lowered - Romania is facing an increased number of retired people and will soon be unable to support paying their pensions. We need more active working people and lowering the retirement age is a must-have solution.
Closest party to this view: PDL/PSD (exact match)
6. What should happen to the unemployment aid?
My answer: increase proportionally with the increase of the average national wage - not everyone can get a job easily after being fired.
Closest party to this view: PSD (exact match)
7. Do you approve of privatizing the CEC enterprise?
My answer: yes, totally - CEC is the last state-managed banking institution. Having a heavy foot in here isn’t the best option and the state should resume to controlling financial market through the National Bank only.
Closest party to this view: PNL/PNG (exact match)
8. Do you approve of privatizing the health industry ?
My answer: no, not at all - the healthcare system is of national interest and there’s no reason for it to be thrown in the business world, move which will lead to a quick increase in healthcare costs for all citizens. This will be a blow mostly to retired people. What are retired people supposed to do, especially since their age is prone to health problems? How will they deal with ever-increasing medicine costs when even today they are huge?
Parties closest to this view: PSD/PIN (exact match)
9. Do you support cultural autonomy of national minorities (greated autonomy on financial and administrative matters pertaining to education, culture, religion and media) ?
My answer: mainly yes - this is a tricky one however. I don’t think that this should be done by state’s intervetion but rather decided through political ballot. In those areas where national minorities have the advantage of numbers it’s normal to have extended autonomy but this should come through democratic process rather than state regulations.
Parties closest to this view: PNL (exact match), UDMR (full support)
10. How do you think the state should act regarding to social integration of the Roma population?
My answer: no opinion - the roma population issues have no short-term resolution due to the rather bohemian-nomadic nature of the roma. Concentrated efforts of the past have failed also because the roma population has no cohesion and efforts should be taken to a family-level (rather than regional or even city-level), which may be more than the state can afford right now.
Parties closest to this view: PNTCD/PIN (exact match)
11. Where do you stand in the matter of same-sex marriage?
My answer: complete legalization - at least civil marriage should be legal, whereas religious ceremonies clearly depend on the statutory principles of each religion. While I don’t support nor do I see same-sex couples being married under any of the christian rites (or muslim for that matter), I believe civil marriage should be legal and full benefits be given to same-sex couples.
Parties closest to this view: PNL/UDMR (partial agreement)
12. Do you agree with legalizing prostitution?
My answer: yes, completely - prostitution will no go away by making it illegal (same as the Prohibition in the US of the 60’s) and even more, those women willingly working in this (let’s face it) industry will make illicit incomes, will be abused, may be spreading STD’s, will not benefit from social security. Legalizing it will bring some rules in this matter, offer protection under the rules pertaining to work, offer health insurance and enforce medical checks and certificates and last but not least, bring some money to the state budget through taxes.
Parties closest to this view: PDL (partial agreement)
13. Should religion be a part of the educational agenda?
My answer: totally no - education should be a means of broadening a student’s intellectual horizon, not narrowing it. If religion would be a part of the curriculum then it should be an overview of all religions so as to present the student a full and unbiased view on the world’s religions. However since there are not enough teachers to cover even all the mainstream religions, it is best to leave it out entirely so that the children will be home schooled each in their family’s own rite.
Parties closest to this view: PNL/UDMR (partial agreement)
14. Do you think special measures are needed to stimulate women’s involvment in politics?
My answer: no special measures are needed - the view on women’s role has be redefined naturally without special measures all over the world. Even if in Romania things are going slower, state’s intervention will make things worse, not better. It’s better to get there slower and better than hurry and wreck everything.
Parties closest to this view: PNL (exact match)
15. Do you agree with condemning the communist regime in the manner of the Tismaneanu commision?
My answer: yes, totally - although it may seem irrelevant now, I think that making an official statement about the communist past is necessary, especially since it doesn’t involve a lot of time and extra costs now, after the Tismaneanu commision presented its findings.
Parties closest to this view: PNL/PDL (exact match)
16. Do you think that adopting a lustration law (eliminating former communist dignitaries from official positions) will lead to a real political reform?
My answer: yes, lustration is absolutely necessary - supporters of the communist regime lower the credibility of the political class and give the sentiment that nothing’s changing. Their removal should’ve been the first thing after the revolution and even now it’s a must. I do not support any party that doesn’t offer a complete and immediate implementation of a full lustration of former communist leaders and informers based on the findings of the Tismaneanu commision.
Parties closest to this view: PNL/PNTCD/PIN (exact match)
17. Which voting system do you support: list-based or uninominal?
My answer: full uninominal system - it is the only true democratic system which allows the voter full choice. Of course, this will be relevant only in the context where people are actually interested about who will lead the country and for this it should be enhanced with other measures that will restore confidence in the political class, such as lustration
Parties closest to this view: PDL (exact match)
18. Should relations with the Republic of Moldova be a priority?
My answer: not especially - Moldova is now a country on its own. Although not differentiated by much from Romania, it is recognized as an independent state and this statute must be respected. I do not see a reason why special attention should be given under these conditions.
Parties closest to this view: PNG (exact match)
19. What should happen with the romanian troops in Iraq?
My answer: withdrawn immediately - participating in the invasion of Iraq was an illegal act and an unprovoked violation of the sovereignity of another state. All laws and treaties at all levels include a clause preventing the obligation to obey directives that are in violation of international laws and as such international military presence of all states in Iraq is illegal. Romania must not be part of illegal activities.
Parties closest to this view: PRM/PC (exact match)/PNL(partial agreement)
20. Do you think Romania should keep not recognizing the independence of Kosovo?
My answer: yes - reconizing Kosovo was done under threat of arms by the Western powers. It was a step which was implemented outside of international law.
Parties closest to this view: PDL/PSD (exact match)
Of course, like I mentioned above, I do not believe in the sincerity of the parties with respect to the positions they declare and I’m sure that even if in power, none of them will actually enforce these ideas.
What a shame!