JON GABRIEL: What Libertarianism Gets Wrong.

Remember the “New Atheists”? They were a big deal 15 or so years ago, bashing irrationality and superstition in bestselling books like “The God Delusion,” “The End of Faith” and “God Is Not Great.” Some of them ultimately ended up as believers, others turned to ayahuasca, and Richard Dawkins recently admitted to being a “cultural Christian.” He still doesn’t believe in the big J.C., but acknowledges his worldview was shaped in a Christian context.

In a similar way, I’ve always been a cultural libertarian. A son of the Mountain West, my traditional conservatism is heavily dosed with a “leave me the hell alone” contempt for Washington, Wall Street and anyone else who dares to tell me what to do. It’s more instinct than ideology. When policy wonks argue how government can best solve a problem, I’m the guy in back muttering, “Why should government be involved at all?”

That said, I’ve never described myself as a full-blown libertarian—never joined the party, haven’t even read “Atlas Shrugged.” Despite admiring the libertarian movement, I’ve always sensed a hollowness at its core that didn’t jibe with human nature.

Many politically minded people have filled out “The World’s Smallest Political Quiz” or the Political Compass. By answering a few questions, these questionnaires map your beliefs on a grid instead of a left-right continuum. The latter uses two axes: Authoritarian vs. Libertarian and Left vs. Right. You can take it here.

After taking and retaking these surveys, I always end up in the fourth quadrant: Libertarian Right. Here’s to freer markets, smaller government and individual rights. But this only covers economic and political issues while ignoring the many, many other elements of human flourishing.

Take the test and read the whole thing. (Or vice-versa.)