Beyond Left and Right: Understanding the Political Circle

A guide to the twelve political philosophies that shape our world

Discover where you really stand—and why others see the world so differently

Tired of being squeezed into "left" or "right"? You're not alone. Most of us hold views that don't fit neatly on a single line—supporting strong public services but also tough action on crime, backing free enterprise while defending civil liberties, championing economic freedom while worrying about surveillance.

Beyond Left and Right introduces a revolutionary new way to understand political beliefs: the Political Circle. Instead of forcing complex views onto a single spectrum, it maps political thought across three crucial dimensions:

• Economic: Markets or planning?
• Social: Freedom or order?
• Conviction: How strongly do you hold your views?

This companion guide to the Political Circle app explores the twelve distinct political philosophies that shape our world, from order-first stabilisers to civil-liberties defenders, from pro-enterprise pragmatists to provision-first egalitarians. But here's what makes it unique: each position is explored at three different intensities—moderate, clear, and strong—revealing how the same basic values can express themselves in radically different ways.

Inside you'll discover:

• Why two people at the same position can disagree completely
• How authoritarian extremes converge regardless of economic starting point
• Why principled libertarians and democratic socialists might have more in common than either has with their moderate neighbours
• The genuine trade-offs every political position involves — no ideology is cost-free
• Historical and contemporary figures who exemplify each position

Written in clear, accessible language without academic jargon, this book doesn't tell you what to believe. Instead, it helps you:

• Understand yourself: See why you hold the views you do and what trade-offs they involve
• Understand others: Recognise that people across the circle aren't stupid or evil—they just weight values differently
• Navigate disagreement: Move beyond tribal talking points to genuine political understanding

Whether you're a pragmatic centrist frustrated by ideological rigidity, a principled partisan seeking to understand the opposition, or someone who's never quite fit into traditional political categories, *Beyond Left and Right* offers a framework for making sense of political complexity.

Politics involves genuine dilemmas with no perfect solutions. This book shows you the full spectrum of how thoughtful people navigate those dilemmas—and helps you find your own place on the circle.

Includes access details for the free Political Circle app, where you can discover your precise position and explore the full interactive model.