Individual political orientation is primarily comprised of two dimensions: acceptance vs. rejection of social change and acceptance vs. rejection of inequality. We propose a theoretical model where the orthogonal primary axes represent both dimensions (corresponding to acceptance vs. avoidance of uncertainty, and tough mindedness vs. empathy, respectively). Two secondary axes represent the possible combinations of these psychological variables. Tough mindedness in combination with uncertainty avoidance result in pronounced system justification tendencies, whereas empathy in combination with uncertainty acceptance represent low system justification. Tough mindedness in combination with uncertainty acceptance results in preference for self-reliance, whereas the opposite combination represents preference for dependence on others. Participants (N = 287) completed measures of SDO, RWA, system justification, NFC, moral motives, values, dependence, and a number of political attitude measures. Multidimensional scaling supported the proposed model. The model allows a deeper analysis of individual political orientation beyond a simple liberal-conservative division.

To explain individual political orientation, we propose and successfully test a theoretical model where two primary dimensions of acceptance vs. avoidance of uncertainty, and tough mindedness vs. empathy are combined resulting in the secondary dimensions of high vs. low system justification, and high vs. low dependence on others.