Extreme Left
Core Belief:
The state should control or heavily direct major aspects of economic and social life.
Typical Characteristics:
Extensive state ownership
Central economic planning
High redistribution of wealth
Strong restrictions on private market influence
Collective outcomes prioritised over individual choice
Potential Strengths:
Reduced inequality
Universal service provision
Strong social safety nets
Potential Risks:
Reduced innovation
Reduced investment incentives
Excessive bureaucracy
Concentration of state power
Scoring Indicator:
Policies that substantially increase state control over markets, ownership, pricing, production, or personal economic decisions.
Centre
Core Belief:
Markets and government both have important roles. Policy should be pragmatic, evidence-based and adaptable.
Typical Characteristics:
Mixed economy
Fiscal responsibility
Targeted welfare provision
Competitive markets with regulation
Incremental reform rather than radical change
Potential Strengths:
Stability
Broad public support
Predictability for business
Balanced social outcomes
Potential Risks:
Slow decision making
Lack of bold reform
Political compromise reducing effectiveness
Scoring Indicator:
Policies seeking practical outcomes through balance rather than ideological purity.
Extreme Right
Core Belief:
The state should be minimised wherever possible, with maximum emphasis on individual responsibility, national sovereignty and market freedom.
Typical Characteristics:
Minimal regulation
Minimal welfare provision
Aggressive tax reduction
Strong national preference policies
Significant reduction of government intervention
Potential Strengths:
Economic freedom
Entrepreneurial growth
Reduced bureaucracy
Faster decision making
Potential Risks:
Increased inequality
Social fragmentation
Underfunded public services
Concentration of private power
Scoring Indicator:
Policies seeking to substantially reduce government involvement in economic or social systems.
The Polarity Framework measures the degree to which a policy, proposal, statement or political position moves away from the centre of a mixed-market democratic model. It does not determine whether a position is good or bad. Consequences are measured separately through welfare, economic, business, technology and international impact assessments.