The other observation (occurred to me as I wrote this) is that in the space of individual vs. The State, this should probably look more like a funnel. When you have true individual freedom, the horizontal axis is meaningless.
I agree the horizontal axis loses meaning at true individual freedom. I think the diamond pattern actually pulls that off as there is no horizontal axis at that point on the graph. The same effect occurs at the bottom of the graph.
The problem I am having is the horizontal axis seems meaningless to me at all times. There is certainly a perceived difference between left and right for those in the groups. That is why I left it in as distinct sides. However, those differences are arbitrary to me. The difference of means and motivations for the stances keeps them well away from the libertarian area. They have such a crazy variety of stances that really don't match the standard nolan x/y of econ and social freedom. To make it even worse, the track record while in office is practically identical. Which lead me to show a convergence in the lower end of the graph where government gets more say than the population majority.
I am not sure how to represent the horizontal axis in a meaningful way. Unfortunately the odd perceptions people have as left and right is probably the only way to even show it.
I have been thinking that perhaps a triangle would be the right solution. Then I could just fold the left onto the right and call it a day.
Where I think all of them have a challenge is that there are no reference points (it's purely subjective on an individual basis). From that standpoint, I think I would put some historical markers on the modified 2D. Using the presidential terms as the marker, I think here's how they would map out based on some historical reading that I have done;
1) George Washington probably 2 or 3 squares down from the top slightly to the right
2) Abraham Lincoln 3 squares below Washington maybe a couple to the left
3) Woodrow Wilson along the bottom edge of the centrist square
Etc., noting that throughout the history of the US of A, we end up with a zig-zag that continually moves down the 2D graph.
I would be afraid to use presidents on the graph. Many people have very different perceptions of them and history. Personally I would put Lincoln and many others solidly in the Authoritarian end. That might mean more people than I care to imagine would be there as well.
I admire the attempt and I think that the modified 2D is excellent.
Thank you, and thanks for responding.