Understanding the Political Circle

Explore the 12 positions to understand the different political philosophies, the personality traits they reflect and the notable thinkers who embody each position.

How to use these pages

Each position page explores:

• Core philosophy: What this position believes about how society should work
• Personality traits: The values and characteristics typical of people at this position
• Notable figures: Historical and contemporary thinkers who embody these views

The complete circle

The circle includes all 12 o'clock positions, mapping the full spectrum of political philosophies. Positions that may appear close on the circle can reach similar conclusions from very different philosophical starting points — market-led or state-led approaches can both prioritise order, for instance.

Remember

These positions are ideal types — few people fit perfectly into one category. Most people sit between positions or lean one way on some issues and another way on others. The Political Circle is a tool for understanding political thinking, not a box to squeeze people into.

The goal is clarity, not judgement. Every position on the circle represents a genuine political philosophy with strengths, trade-offs and internal coherence. Understanding these positions helps us have better conversations about how society should work.

NEW: Dive deeper into the ideas behind the Political Circle

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.

Buy on Amazon.co.ukBuy on Amazon.com

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