The Unifying Principles Behind The Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS), The Basic Living Standard, and The Revaluation
Introduction: The Thread That Runs Through Everything
Across all the work I’ve produced over the past four years – from Levelling Level to Safe Shores, from the Basic Living Standard to LEGS – there has always been a single thread running quietly underneath it all.
A worldview.
A way of seeing people.
A way of understanding systems.
A way of interpreting what a society is actually for.
This document brings that worldview together.
Not as a policy.
Not as a framework.
Not as a manifesto.
But as a philosophy – the foundation beneath everything else.
Because LEGS is not just a system.
The Basic Living Standard is not just a guarantee.
The Revaluation is not just a shift in perspective.
Together, they form a coherent way of understanding human life, community, work, and the purpose of a society.
This is that philosophy.
1. The Core Thesis
Every system is built on a single assumption about what people are.
The money‑centric system assumes people are:
- self‑interested
- competitive
- unreliable
- motivated only by scarcity
- valuable only when productive
- and in need of control
LEGS begins with a different assumption:
People thrive when they are secure, trusted, connected, and able to contribute to something that matters.
Everything else flows from this.
2. The First Principles
These are the foundational truths that sit beneath the entire philosophy.
1. Human dignity is non‑negotiable.
A society that allows people to fall below the basics of life is not a functioning society.
2. Security is the starting point of contribution.
People contribute most when they are not afraid.
3. Contribution is the natural form of work.
Work is not a transaction. It is participation in community life.
4. Locality is the natural scale of human systems.
People make better decisions when they are close to the consequences.
5. Community is the basic structure of society.
Not markets. Not governments. Communities.
6. The environment is not a resource; it is the context of life.
A system that harms its context cannot survive.
7. Value must be measured in human terms, not monetary ones.
Money is a tool, not a worldview.
8. Systems must reflect lived reality, not abstract theory.
If a system works on paper but not on the ground, the system is wrong.
These principles are the philosophical spine of LEGS.
3. The Paradigm Shift: The Revaluation
The Revaluation is the moment the old worldview collapses and the new one becomes visible.
It is the shift from:
Money → Life
Scarcity → Security
Employment → Contribution
Extraction → Reciprocity
Hierarchy → Participation
Centralisation → Locality
Fragmentation → Wholeness
Fear → Freedom
This shift is not ideological.
It is structural.
It is psychological.
It is practical.
It is the moment we stop asking:
“How do we make the economy grow?”
and start asking:
“How do we make life better for everyone?”
This is the philosophical heart of LEGS.
4. The Human Assumptions
Every system is built on assumptions about human nature.
Here are the assumptions LEGS is built on:
People want to contribute.
Given security and trust, contribution is natural.
People are capable when supported.
Most “failures” are structural, not personal.
People are relational, not isolated.
We are shaped by the communities we live in.
People need meaning, not just survival.
Purpose is as essential as food.
People thrive when trusted.
Control creates resistance. Trust creates responsibility.
People are shaped by their environment.
If you want different outcomes, change the environment.
These assumptions are the opposite of the money‑centric worldview – and that difference explains everything.
5. The Systemic Implications
When you take the principles and assumptions above seriously, the system that follows becomes obvious.
If security is essential → the Basic Living Standard becomes non‑negotiable.
People cannot contribute when they are afraid.
If contribution is the basis of work → employment becomes optional, not compulsory.
Work becomes meaningful, not coerced.
If food is the foundation of life → local food systems become central.
Communities must be able to feed themselves.
If community is the natural structure → governance must be participatory.
Decision‑making belongs with the people affected by the decisions.
If value is human → profit loses its dominance.
Businesses exist to meet needs, not extract value.
If locality matters → systems must be small, connected, and transparent.
People must be able to see and understand the systems they live within.
If the environment is the context → sustainability becomes the default.
Regeneration replaces exploitation.
This is why LEGS looks the way it does.
It is not arbitrary.
It is the natural outcome of the philosophy.
6. The Ethical Commitments
This philosophy carries a set of ethical commitments – not as rules, but as responsibilities.
1. No one should be left behind.
A society that abandons people is not a society.
2. No one should be coerced into survival.
Work must be contribution, not compulsion.
3. No one should be exploited for profit.
Extraction is incompatible with dignity.
4. No community should be dependent on distant systems.
Local resilience is essential.
5. No environment should be degraded for economic gain.
The land is not a commodity.
6. No system should be allowed to hide its own failures.
Transparency is a moral requirement.
7. No decision should be made without those affected by it.
Participation is a right.
These commitments are the moral foundation of the system.
7. The Purpose of a Society
At its core, this philosophy answers a single question:
What is a society for?
The money‑centric system answers:
“To grow the economy.”
This philosophy answers:
“To ensure that everyone has what they need to live a good life – and to create the conditions in which people can contribute to the wellbeing of the whole.”
Everything else is secondary.
8. The Philosophy in One Sentence
If this entire document had to be condensed into a single line, it would be this:
A society thrives when people are secure enough to contribute, connected enough to care, and trusted enough to participate.
That is the philosophy behind LEGS.
That is the worldview behind the Basic Living Standard.
That is the shift described in The Revaluation.
Further Reading:
This “Further Reading” section offers a set of resources that will deepen your understanding of the Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS), the Basic Living Standard, and the broader philosophy of a people-first society.
Each link explores a different facet of the philosophy, from practical implementation to foundational principles. Engaging with these readings will provide you with richer context, practical examples, and a more nuanced grasp of the ideas behind LEGS.
Whether you are new to these concepts or seeking to apply them, these resources will help you connect theory to practice and inspire new ways of thinking about community, governance, and human flourishing.
Ordered List of Further Reading
- The Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS) – Online Text
https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/11/21/the-local-economy-governance-system-online-text/
Summary:
This foundational text introduces the LEGS framework in detail, explaining how local economies and governance can be structured to prioritise human dignity, participation, and sustainability. It’s ideal for readers seeking a comprehensive overview of the system’s mechanics and philosophical underpinnings.
Benefit:
Start here for a solid grounding in the core ideas and practical structure of LEGS.
- The Basic Living Standard Explained
https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/10/24/the-basic-living-standard-explained/
Summary:
This article breaks down the concept of the Basic Living Standard, clarifying what it means in practice and why it is central to a people-first society. It addresses common questions and misconceptions, making it accessible for those new to the idea.
Benefit:
Read this to understand the practical implications and necessity of guaranteeing basic security for all.
- The Basic Living Standard: Freedom to Think, Freedom to Do, Freedom to Be – With Personal Sovereignty That Brings Peace to All
https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/15/the-basic-living-standard-freedom-to-think-freedom-to-do-freedom-to-be-with-personal-sovereignty-that-brings-peace-to-all/
Summary:
This piece explores the philosophical and ethical dimensions of the Basic Living Standard, linking it to personal sovereignty and collective peace. It’s a reflective essay that connects individual freedom with societal wellbeing.
Benefit:
Recommended for readers interested in the deeper values and ethical commitments behind the LEGS philosophy.
- From Principle to Practice: Bringing the Local Economy & Governance System to Life (Full Text)
https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/27/from-principle-to-practice-bringing-the-local-economy-governance-system-to-life-full-text/
Summary:
This resource provides practical guidance and real-world examples of how to implement the LEGS philosophy. It bridges the gap between theory and action, offering insights for communities and individuals ready to make change.
Benefit:
Essential for those looking to move from understanding to action, with concrete steps and inspiration for local transformation.
- Visit the LEGS Ecosystem
https://adamtugwell.blog/2025/12/31/visit-the-legs-ecosystem/
Summary:
This link offers an overview of the broader LEGS ecosystem, showcasing projects, communities, and ongoing initiatives. It’s a gateway to seeing the philosophy in action and connecting with others on the same journey.
Benefit:
Explore this to find community, resources, and inspiration for your own involvement in the LEGS movement.
Adam Tugwell 