Polarization observables in inclusive and exclusive electrodisintegration of the deuteron using a polarized beam and an oriented target are systematically surveyed using the standard nonrelativistic framework of nuclear theory but with leading order relativistic contributions included. The structure functions and the asymmetries corresponding to the various nucleon polarization components are studied in a variety of kinematic regions with respect to their sensitivity to realistic N N -potential models, to subnuclear degrees of freedom in terms of meson exchange currents, isobar configurations and to relativistic effects in different kinematical regions, serving as a benchmark for a test of present standard nuclear theory with effective degrees of freedom.