POLISHERE

POLISPHERE

Consider political preference: "left wing", "right wing"; "far right", "far left"... The debate is always described in linear terms, when in fact political interests can best be described spherically: "Polisphere".

Liberal and Conservative views can be graphed as a Left/Right dichotomy, but Libertarian and Socialist views cannot be described on the same line. This is because each shares core beliefs with their Left/Right counterparts. On this note, when placing the Libertarian view on top and the Socialist view below, we can reference the common interests:

1. Liberals & Libertarians agree that Education should be made available to all People and enjoy Freedom from censorship.

2. Conservatives & Libertarians agree that Money should primarily benefit the Individual earner and enjoy Freedom in global markets.

3. Conservatives & Socialists agree that Law Enforcement should primarily protect Individual property/civil rights and that the nation should provide Security for such rights.

4. Liberals & Socialists agree that basic Healthcare should be available to all People and that the nation should provide Security for such services.

As Centrists consider all these interests reasonable and constitute the "swing vote" that decides elections, their vote generally depends on where they fit in the third dimension: Access vs. Quality. Those with wealth are most concerned about the Quality of essential government services, whereas those who are impoverished are most concerned about Access to such services.

In this light, when single-issues (i.e. Abortion, Gay Rights, etc.) or third-party candidates (i.e. Ross Perot, Ralph Nader, etc.) don't decide elections, they are usually won not by pushing Left/Right or Top/Bottom positions, but by blurring the Access/Quality separation: promising both Quality and Access. At the end of the day, all voters (and Centrists in particular) seek to improve their lives and, thus, Quality of and Access to essential government services are the issues that matter the most.

Therefore, politicians can most easily be criticized for how they succeed or fail to offer Quality and Access: the Clinton Administration was celebrated for creating greater Access to sought services, while preserving Quality. Whereas, both Bush Administrations were plagued by delivering poorer Quality services, which fewer citizens could Access.