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I think there's a misunderstanding there about what authoritarianism is, and how it relates to various forms of freedom. It's more about centralisation of power, erosion of democratic standards, and control by force without heed to the popular vote, rather than taxes (economic things broadly go on the other axis) or land use (which is naturally zero-sum and so has hard limits to individual choice anyway).
If you're arguing for greater public transport provision, the liberal/authoritarian question is whether or not you involve others in decision making and generally if the use of space is equitable. The notion of 'removing individual choice' here doesn't really make sense because there's always limited choice in a constrained space. Equally if you're pro-car in urban environments, you're right wing (unequal access) but not necessarily authoritarian.
For taxes, the liberal/authoritarian question is if it's a measure designed to limit hierarchy and control (just in the private sector this time), and whether it has popular buy-in. And while taxes obviously do require enforcement, like all government programmes, that will have to be balanced with the freedom gained elsewhere.
I don't really like the political spectrum axes to be honest, because it does get a bit muddy (economic power is a thing, so which axis is that?). And like I say, I do think it's a bit off.
Edit: I guess the tl;dr is that individuals can have policy preferences either way and that’s liberal, it’s just about an individual's power to enact their preference. Which is why the left is concerned with collective power.
slippers-
I get that. But what does the 0 axis represent?
In simple terms say if I think that:
- The state should prohibit people being able to pay for education.
- The state should prohibit business from making certain types of cars
Am I a libitarian who should be way below the axis, or somewhere at least around 0 to a bit above?
Imo on that survey it is likely if you answer that you think should should be able to have an abortion and the state shouldn't control your sex life then you = libitarian. Which is a ridiculous benchmark.
- The state should prohibit people being able to pay for education.
hugo7
Almost every policy in relation to transport, environment, taxation, or crime and punishment in relation to those who impact cyclists.
Yes I include myself.
I just don't see how you can't at least be around the horizontal axis when you support removing choice for anything you deem negativity impacts society. And definitely not close to the bottom of the whole box.