Political Circle
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"Protect freedoms, fund what helps people flourish"
At 7 o'clock, you value rights and privacy but still see a strong role for public services. You want robust civil liberties and a supportive safety net. The state should back people and provide security, but not boss them around or tell them how to live. Public services should widen real choice in life without restricting freedom.
You're staunchly pro-freedom and pro-provision. You believe economic security enables real liberty — people can't be truly free if they lack healthcare, education or basic security. You oppose both authoritarian social control and market fundamentalism. Freedom and solidarity reinforce each other.
Your position at 7 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:
"Public services and rights—balanced approach"
Close to centre, you favour both public provision and civil liberties but remain flexible. You want strong public services—health, education, welfare—alongside robust privacy and free speech protections. You'll compromise when necessary: economic security matters, but so does freedom. You seek balance between collective provision and individual autonomy.
Historical example: Social liberals balancing welfare state provision with strong civil liberties protection.
"Economic security enables freedom—both matter"
At medium distance, you have clear convictions about both dimensions. You want universal public services funded by progressive taxation, combined with strong civil liberties: privacy rights, free speech, opposition to surveillance. Real freedom requires material security. Markets and authoritarianism both threaten human flourishing. Freedom and equality reinforce each other.
Historical example: George Orwell—socialist who prized both economic justice and fierce defence of civil liberties.
"Abolish both capitalism and state oppression"
Far from centre, you're uncompromising about both freedom and equality. Capitalism oppresses economically; authoritarianism oppresses politically. You want collective ownership without state control: worker co-ops, mutual aid, commons. Hierarchy—whether corporate or governmental—must be dismantled. True freedom requires both economic democracy and complete civil liberties.
Historical example: Anarcho-syndicalists like during the Spanish Civil War—workers' control without authoritarian state.
US Senator and progressive champion
Sanders combines democratic socialism — Medicare for All, free college, worker rights — with consistent civil liberties advocacy. He opposes mass surveillance, supports criminal justice reform and defends marginalised communities. His blend of economic justice and personal freedom defines modern 7 o'clock politics.
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
Ardern led with empathy, progressive social policies and strong public services whilst championing LGBTQ+ rights and gun reform after Christchurch. Her combination of social liberalism, economic intervention and compassionate governance exemplifies 7 o'clock leadership.
Existentialist feminist philosopher
De Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" analysed women's oppression and championed autonomy and equality. She combined left-wing politics with fierce defence of individual freedom, arguing that liberation requires both social change and personal liberty. Her work bridges 7 o'clock's twin commitments.
Founder of the UK Labour Party
Hardie championed workers' rights, social justice and universal suffrage whilst opposing imperialism and advocating pacifism. His commitment to economic equality alongside personal freedom and democratic reform shaped British social democracy at 7 o'clock.
US Representative
Ocasio-Cortez champions progressive economic policies like the Green New Deal and Medicare for All whilst advocating criminal justice reform, LGBTQ+ rights and immigrant rights. Her blend of economic populism and social progressivism embodies 7 o'clock politics for a new generation.
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.