What the rating measures
The Common Sense → Communist rating estimates how strongly a proposal relies on government ownership, centralized economic control, coercive redistribution, restrictions on private property, or limits on individual choice.
The five-point scale
1 — Common Sense
Relies primarily on individual liberty, private ownership, competitive markets, limited government, and equal application of the law.
2 — Mostly Free
Preserves private ownership and market choice while allowing targeted regulation or a limited public role.
3 — Mixed Economy
Combines private enterprise with substantial regulation, public spending, mandates, subsidies, or government direction.
4 — Statist / Socialist
Uses broad redistribution, national planning, public control, compulsory collective systems, or major restrictions on private economic decisions.
5 — Communist
Calls for eliminating or subordinating private ownership of major productive property, replacing markets with centralized allocation, or imposing comprehensive political and economic control.
Ratings are not party scores
A rating applies to the documented position or proposal being evaluated, not automatically to every member of a party or organization. Different proposals from the same person may receive different ratings.
Evidence and revisions
Ratings should be supported by primary-source evidence whenever possible. Scores may change when a position changes, new evidence appears, or an earlier characterization is corrected.