We use concepts to think about politics, and these concepts often classify people, actions or institutions into discrete categories. Most classifications are one-dimensional. But two-dimensional classifications can sometimes be more useful.
For example, we can classify people as men or women (one dimensional). We can also classify people as wearing glasses or not wearing glasses (also one dimensional).
Combining the two one-dimensional categories, we can distinguish between men wearing glasses, men not wearing glasses, women wearing glasses, and women not wearing glasses. This two-dimensional classification system gives us four categories of people.
Politically, the distinction between a radical and a conservative is one dimensional. However we can add a second dimension in which we distinguish betweensomeone’s goals and how they propose to get to their goals.
People often have difficulty figuring out my political orientation. This is because I am radical in wanting to change many aspects of today’s world , but conservative in advocating peaceful reforms rather than violent revolution or military action to attain my goals.