I think we all realize that the single axis continuum of left and right does not begin to capture the differences in our political perspective. Some have proposed a different quadrant like the one at The Political Compass. Which looks something like this:
Still, I haven't been too happy with these quadrants either. It seems like we miss something important when we try to plot a single point on a chart and these quadrants just don't seem to fit. I have been working on some new concepts for my upcoming book on risk and uncertainty which I think work better here.
The idea is much like a color wheel. Using three axis we can plot any color given only three primary colors. Using a three axis graph, here is what we could plot:
Our country was founded on three major principles: Freedom, Justice, and Equality. Freedom means that each of us should be allowed to pursue our lives as we see fit. Justice means that there should be order and consistent application of community rules and regulations, Equality means that we should all be treated the same under the rules for justice and freedom, none should be more free nor should our community rules and regulations apply differently to some than it does to others.
But each of us, by virtue of our personality, upbringing, and experience weight these principles differently. If we have a varied experience, it is probable that we may identify with a broader range of perspectives. This factor is typically missing from any quadrants showing political identity. I like to think of it as a 3D graph where someone who could identify with all perspectives would have a perspective which was like a cone covering the entire graph. Someone who was intolerant would have a smaller cone which could be plotted as a smaller shaded area.
The following graph shows someone with a balanced but intolerant perspective:
The following graph shows someone with a liberal but intolerant perspective, someone who is willing to impose their will on others in order to ensure equality:
Here is a graph showing someone who is a strict libertarian:
I believe that the ability to identify with a broad range of perspectives which makes Obama unique. Our use of left and right continuums hampers our ability to understand this concept. Obama is centered. He understands that freedom and justice and equality are all equally important but he also has sufficient exposure to other people that he at least understands their perspective.
This is what we want in a President!