Barack Obama vs Ronald Reagan on the 12 Axes
Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan are two modern American presidents from opposing parties, often compared for how each shaped his party's agenda. Both lean Democratic and Global on trade, but they split on Morality, where Obama leans Progressive and Reagan leans Traditional.
- Morality
Barack Obama leans Progressive (-50), Ronald Reagan leans Traditional (+55): 105 points apart.
- Welfare
Barack Obama leans Shared (-45), Ronald Reagan leans Self-reliant (+50): 95 points apart.
- Foreign policy
Barack Obama leans Cooperation (-30), Ronald Reagan leans Strength (+60): 90 points apart.
- Markets
Barack Obama leans Planned (-20), Ronald Reagan leans Free (+60): 80 points apart.
- Trade
Both lean Global: -45 and -35.
- Technology
Both lean Embrace: -20 and -35.
All 12 axes, side by side
| Axis | Barack Obama | Ronald Reagan | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| OwnershipPublic to Private | +10 | +50 | 40 |
| MarketsPlanned to Free | -20 | +60 | 80 |
| WelfareShared to Self-reliant | -45 | +50 | 95 |
| AuthorityDemocratic to Strong leader | -55 | -20 | 35 |
| SecurityLiberty to Order | +15 | +50 | 35 |
| StructureLocal to Central | +40 | -40 | 80 |
| MoralityProgressive to Traditional | -50 | +55 | 105 |
| ReligionSecular to Religious | -15 | +45 | 60 |
| TechnologyEmbrace to Caution | -20 | -35 | 15 |
| CultureMulticultural to National identity | -40 | -5 | 35 |
| TradeGlobal to Protected | -45 | -35 | 10 |
| Foreign policyCooperation to Strength | -30 | +60 | 90 |
Scores run from -100 to +100 and come from each profile's documented positions. Closeness compares only the axes both have on record. It measures similar positions, not endorsement. How profiles work
Closer to Barack Obama or Ronald Reagan?
Take the 12 Axes test and see your match with both, axis by axis.
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How similar are Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan?
On the 12 axes where both have a documented position, their profiles are 68% close on the 12 Axes scale. They differ most on Morality, Welfare, Foreign policy, Markets.
Who is more economically left-wing, Barack Obama or Ronald Reagan?
Barack Obama sits further toward the collective end of the Economy family (ownership, markets and welfare), by 72 points on average.
Who favours more personal liberty, Barack Obama or Ronald Reagan?
On the State family (authority, security and structure), Ronald Reagan leans further toward liberty and checks on power, by 3 points on average.
