Orientacje ideologiczne polskich studentów – zgodność autoidentyfikacji na skali lewica–prawica z przekonaniami, poglądami i wartościami

The article draws attention to the explanatory weaknesses of left-right self-identifications measured on quantitative scales. The author assumes that this way of measurement is too minimalist, and in order to understand the specificity of the beliefs, views and values of people who define themselves as “left-wing” or “right-wing”, it is necessary to use the category of “ideological orientations” as more coherent axiological packages. In addition, he points out that age is an important variable that differentiates political views. He also characterizes the implications of the categories of “left” and “right” for empirical research. Using data from his own survey of Polish students, he argues that the left-right self-identification scales only partially explain the real beliefs of young people on specific economic, ideological and socio-economic issues. It was found that those who identify with the left have beliefs that are significantly more consistent with their identification on the left–right scale.