Karl Popper
Philosopher of science and political theorist · 1902–1994
Popper was an Austrian-born British philosopher who argued that scientific theories must be falsifiable. In The Open Society and Its Enemies he defended liberal democracy and piecemeal reform against Plato, Hegel and Marx.
How close are you? Take the test →Position on the 12 axes
Estimated from their documented words and actions. A simplification, not a verdict.
No strong recorded view on regional versus central government.
He defined democracy as the ability to remove governments without bloodshed.
He defended open criticism and individual freedom but accepted limits to protect an open society.
He criticised nationalism as tribalism and supported international legal order.
He supported Western defence against totalitarian states during the Cold War.
He opposed ethnic nationalism and tribal identity politics.
He favoured a welfare state to protect the weak, while rejecting revolutionary socialism.
He supported piecemeal social engineering and rejected utopian, comprehensive planning.
No strong recorded view on trade.
He was an agnostic who kept religion out of his political theory.
He supported gradual, reformist social progress.
He placed great value on scientific inquiry and the growth of knowledge.