Political Circle
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"Public services and shared standards keep society fair — markets are tools, not masters"
At 9 o'clock, you sit squarely in the left quadrant of the circle. You think public services and shared standards keep society fair. Markets are tools, not masters. You back redistribution and universal services to level life chances. The state should steer key systems so everyone gets a fair shot.
You're confident in collective solutions. You support strong public services, progressive taxes and national standards to reduce avoidable inequality. Private provision may work in some areas, but essential services — health, education, housing — should be publicly owned and democratically accountable.
Your position at 9 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:
"Strong public services—pragmatic about delivery"
Close to centre, you champion public provision but remain flexible about implementation. You want universal healthcare, strong education, generous welfare—but you'll accept some private involvement if it delivers results. Public ownership is ideal, but pragmatic partnerships can work. Reducing inequality matters more than ideological purity about who delivers services.
Historical example: Pragmatic social democrats who prioritise outcomes over ownership models.
"Public ownership for essential services—private markets for the rest"
At medium distance, you have clear convictions about public versus private. Essential services—health, education, utilities, transport—should be publicly owned and democratically accountable. Markets work for consumer goods but fail for necessities. Progressive taxation should redistribute wealth substantially. Inequality isn't just unfair; it's corrosive to society. Public ownership ensures accountability and fairness.
Historical example: Post-war Labour governments—nationalised major industries whilst maintaining democratic freedoms.
"Economic planning beats market chaos"
Far from centre, markets are fundamentally unjust. You want comprehensive public ownership and democratic economic planning. Essential services, major industries, land, finance—all should be publicly controlled. Markets produce inequality, environmental destruction, instability. Central coordination ensures everyone's needs are met fairly. Private profit shouldn't drive essential decisions affecting people's lives.
Historical example: Advocates of comprehensive public ownership and economic planning for social justice.
Philosopher and critic of capitalism
Marx's analysis of capitalism, class struggle and alienation shaped socialist thought. His vision of collective ownership, abolition of private property in the means of production and worker control defines the 9 o'clock critique of market economics and advocacy for systemic transformation.
Architect of the UK National Health Service
Bevan fought to create the NHS as a universal service free at point of use, funded by taxation. His belief that healthcare should be a right, not a commodity, and his commitment to collective provision over market solutions embody 9 o'clock principles in social policy.
Political philosopher
Rawls's "A Theory of Justice" proposed the veil of ignorance and difference principle: inequalities are only justified if they benefit the least advantaged. His liberal egalitarianism — combining equal liberties with fair opportunity and economic redistribution — defines philosophical 9 o'clock thinking.
UK Labour Minister and social reformer
Castle championed equal pay, workplace rights and comprehensive education. Her fierce advocacy for workers, women and the vulnerable through strong state action and her battles with both unions and employers when necessary typify 9 o'clock commitment to fairness through collective provision.
Economic historian and Christian socialist
Tawney argued that equality of opportunity requires material equality and that capitalism creates degrading inequality. His vision of a society organised around common purpose rather than private profit, and his critique of market worship, shaped British 9 o'clock socialism.
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.