Political Circle
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"Strong government and shared norms are the backbone of a decent society"
At 11 o'clock, you sit near the top of the circle, combining strong government with collective economic arrangements. You prefer clear rules and public oversight to keep systems fair and predictable. Strong government and shared norms are the backbone of a decent society. Consistency matters more than local variation.
You back assertive state action backed by firm rules. Authority should be able to act swiftly to protect the common good. You're comfortable with decisive leadership, uniform standards and robust enforcement to maintain social cohesion and economic fairness.
Your position at 11 o'clock tells us your direction, but how far you are from the centre tells us the strength of your convictions. The Political Circle recognises three levels:
"Firm leadership and public services together"
Close to centre, you favour both strong governance and public provision but remain democratic. You want decisive government that can act quickly, combined with public ownership of key services. Clear rules and national standards prevent chaos. Strong leadership doesn't mean dictatorship—accountability matters. Balance authority with democratic oversight.
Historical example: Democratic governments combining strong executive action with public ownership.
"Strong state direction for economic and social order"
At medium distance, you have clear convictions about state authority and economic control. Central planning, public ownership, uniform standards—enforced firmly. Democracy can be slow and messy; strong leadership gets things done. Individual freedoms sometimes must yield to collective needs. Order and equality together require powerful state direction.
Historical example: State socialist systems combining central economic planning with social control.
"Complete state control for the collective good"
Far from centre, comprehensive state power is necessary to transform society. Private property, market freedom, liberal democracy—all obstacles to true equality. You want total economic planning, complete social control, elimination of class enemies. Revolutionary transformation requires revolutionary methods. The ends—economic equality, social harmony—justify powerful means. No compromise with capitalism or bourgeois freedom.
Historical example: Totalitarian communist states with complete economic and social control.
Paramount leader of China
Deng combined market reforms with authoritarian Communist Party control. His pragmatic "socialism with Chinese characteristics" — economic liberalisation under firm political discipline — exemplifies 11 o'clock synthesis of state planning, order and selective market mechanisms.
President of France
De Gaulle combined strong executive authority with economic interventionism. He built France's dirigiste economy — state-led industrial planning, nationalisation and technocratic management — whilst maintaining social order and national unity. His combination of state power and collective provision defines 11 o'clock governance.
Architect of apartheid South Africa
Whilst his policies were deeply unjust, Verwoerd represents the 11 o'clock combination of authoritarian social control with state-led economic management. His regime used strong central authority and social engineering alongside state planning — a cautionary example of what happens when order and control override justice and freedom.
New York urban planner
Moses wielded enormous power to reshape New York through highways, parks and housing projects, often overriding local communities. His technocratic, top-down planning — imposing expert vision through state authority — exemplifies 11 o'clock faith in decisive, organised intervention.
British statesman and social reformer
As Mayor of Birmingham, Chamberlain combined municipal socialism — gas, water and transport under public control — with strong civic leadership and social discipline. His "gas and water socialism" with firm authority shaped 11 o'clock thinking about collective provision under strong government.
The new book, 'Beyond Left and Right: Understanding the Political Circle' is now available on Amazon.
Containing a wealth of information, the book explores all of the 12 philosophical positions with detailed analysis on each of the three levels.