Safe Shores: The Pathway That Led to The Local Economy & Governance System and the Basic Living Standard

Making sense of a system that isolates and divides – and building a fair, functional system that stands as a real alternative for everyone.

A Note from Adam

For nearly four years, I’ve been publishing books and blogs about change – why we need it, what’s wrong with the world as it stands, and why those wrongs keep repeating.

I’ve written knowing full well that only a small number of people were truly interested in the perspective I was offering. Not because the ideas lacked value, but because they don’t fit neatly within the way the world currently works. They challenge assumptions. They question the foundations. They ask us to look at the system itself, not just the symptoms.

And yet, despite the limited audience, I’ve felt compelled to keep writing.

Part of that comes from a long‑held understanding that the world we know has been living on borrowed time. The cracks have been visible for years – widening, deepening, accelerating – and it has been impossible for me to ignore them.

Much of the time, I didn’t even know that another book would follow the one I had just finished. I would wrap up a manuscript, thinking the work was complete, only for a new structure, a new purpose, a new piece of the puzzle to arrive almost immediately. And so I would begin again.

A few of you have been with me from the very beginning, quietly following each step of this journey.

Others have joined along the way. And now, more than ever, I sense a growing number of people recognising what I have felt for a long time: we cannot shape a new future by using the same shape that created everything that’s wrong.

After publishing The Basic Living Standard Explained, LEGS, and From Principle to Practice, it felt like the right moment to share a little more of the experience that has driven this work – the lived reality, the observations, the research, and the personal journey that have informed every page.

Not because my story is important in itself, but because I do not doubt that for many, understanding the path will help to illuminate the destination.

This work has become important – and yes, urgent – in ways I could never have anticipated when I began.

Even if only a few of you are reading, reflecting, and engaging with these ideas, that is enough. Change has always begun with those who are willing to see and lead by thinking differently.

My hope is that what follows here will give you a clear insight into how LEGS came into being, and perhaps offer a sense of the depth and scope of the thinking that has shaped it along the way.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for reading.

And thank you for caring enough to imagine something better.

Introduction

This work did not begin with a single idea, a political moment, or a sudden revelation. It began with a pattern – one that kept appearing no matter where I stood or what role I was in.

Whether I was a councillor working with public policy, developing services for charities and local authorities, running businesses, or volunteering within communities, I kept seeing the same thing: people were being pushed, pulled, and shaped by forces they didn’t control and often couldn’t even see.

Problems were treated as isolated issues, when in reality they were symptoms of the same failing system. And the system itself – fragmented, money‑centric, hierarchical, and blind to human reality – had no idea it was failing.

At some point, the realisation became impossible to ignore:

I came to see that all of us are in different boats, shaped by our own circumstances, yet all being blown around by the same winds – economic forces, political decisions, and pressures we never chose.

Most people have no control over where they’re heading or even realise when they’re drifting toward danger.

LEGS and the Basic Living Standard are about giving people an engine of their own, the power to steer their own direction, and the ability to reach safe shores they define for themselves, where a new world that works for everyone can begin.

That image stayed with me because it captured exactly what I had witnessed throughout my life. People weren’t failing. They were navigating a storm in vessels that were never built for them, under a system that blamed them for every wave that hit.

My own childhood gave me the first glimpse of this truth. Growing up in a one‑parent family, I didn’t know we were “poor” until the world told me.

What I did know – even then – was that life felt harder than it should, and that the rules seemed to work differently for different people.

Later, when I found myself working with public policy, charity development, local government projects, business operations, and voluntary roles, that early awareness became a lens. I could see the system from both sides: the side that created the rules, and the side that lived with the consequences.

The more I saw, the clearer it became that the system wasn’t malfunctioning. It was functioning exactly as designed – and that design no longer works for the world we live in.

A research project on my Postgraduate Course in 2023 confirmed what experience had already taught me. Inside a Gloucestershire foodbank, I heard stories that revealed the same structural truth: people were not struggling because of personal failure, but because the system had made survival itself a calculation that no longer added up.

‘The minute you step away from the ground, everything becomes theoretical.’

And that is exactly how the system hides its own contradictions.

This four-years body of work – from Levelling Level to The Basic Living Standard, From Here to There Through Now, The Way of Awakened Politics, The Grassroots Manifesto, A Community Route, and the conceptual foundation I call The Revaluation – is the result of following that pattern to its root.

Each step revealed another layer. Each layer made the next step unavoidable. And together, they led to one conclusion:

You cannot fix a system that is designed to protect itself from change.

But you can build a new one.

LEGS – the Local Economy & Governance System – is that new system.

The Basic Living Standard is its foundation.

And the work that follows is the framework or map.

This introduction is not an argument for ideology. It is an invitation to see the world differently – to recognise that the future is not predetermined, and that the systems we live within are Then when when choices, not inevitabilities.

If we choose differently, if we choose people first, if we choose dignity, locality, fairness, and responsibility, then the world that follows will be one worth living in.

This is the beginning of that choice.

SECTION 1 – The Real Problem: A System That Fragments Everything

When people ask me why I’ve spent the past four years working on this – writing, researching, building, refining – the answer isn’t simple. It certainly isn’t ideological. And it didn’t arrive in a single moment of inspiration.

It came from years of watching the same pattern repeat itself in every direction I looked.

Whether I was working in public policy, regulatory environments, the voluntary sector, or running businesses and operations, the same truth kept revealing itself:

We treat every problem as if it exists in isolation.

But nothing in real life works that way.

We talk about the cost-of-living crisis as if it’s separate from housing.

We talk about housing as if it’s separate from wages.

We talk about wages as if they’re separate from business models.

We talk about business models as if they’re separate from governance.

We talk about governance as if it’s separate from values.

We talk about values as if they’re separate from community.

We talk about community as if it’s separate from the economy.

And on it goes – endlessly dividing, categorising, isolating.

This fragmentation is not accidental. It’s built into the way the system thinks.

A money‑centric system can only see problems in terms of:

cost
efficiency
productivity
risk
compliance
metrics
optics

It cannot see people.
It cannot see relationships.
It cannot see interconnectedness.
It cannot see the whole.

And because it cannot see the whole, it cannot fix the whole.

So instead, it breaks everything into pieces – and then blames the people trapped in those pieces for the consequences.

If you’re struggling with rent, the problem is you.
If you’re struggling with food, the problem is you.
If you’re struggling with debt, the problem is you.
If you’re struggling with work, the problem is you.
If you’re struggling with mental health, the problem is you.
If you’re struggling with anything at all, the problem is always you.

This is the great sleight of hand of the money‑centric paradigm:

It creates the crisis, then convinces you that you are the crisis.

And because every crisis is treated as a separate issue, the system never has to confront the truth:

All of these problems come from the same place.

They are symptoms of the same design.

They are outputs of the same worldview.

This is why I’m doing this.

Because once you’ve seen the interconnectedness – once you’ve watched the same pattern play out in public policy, in regulation, in business, in community life, in governance, in economics – you can’t unsee it.

And once you’ve seen it, you realise something else:

No amount of tinkering will fix a system that is designed to fragment reality.

The only solution is to build a system that sees the whole.

That is where this journey began.

SECTION 2 – How the System Turns Symptoms Into “Individual Problems”

One of the most revealing things I’ve learned – not just from research, but from many years of working with charities, in politics, regulatory environments, and business, is that the system has a remarkable ability to turn its own failures into your failures.

It doesn’t matter whether the issue is:

poverty
housing
food insecurity
debt
mental health
loneliness
precarious employment
small business collapse
community breakdown
environmental decline

The pattern is always the same.

The system creates the conditions.

The system produces the harm.

And then the system convinces the individual that they are the cause.

If you can’t afford rent, it’s because you “didn’t plan well enough.”

If you can’t afford food, it’s because you “budget badly.”

If you’re struggling with debt, it’s because you “made poor choices.”

If you’re overwhelmed, it’s because you “aren’t resilient enough.”

If you’re exhausted, it’s because you “aren’t working the right way.”

If you’re anxious, it’s because you “aren’t coping.”

If you’re drowning, it’s because “you didn’t swim fast enough.”

This is the quiet violence of a money‑centric system.

It isolates every problem.
It personalises every struggle.
It individualises every consequence.

And in doing so, it hides the truth:

These are not personal failures. They are systemic outputs.

They are the predictable, inevitable consequences of a system that:

prioritises money over people
treats human needs as market variables
reduces life to transactions
fragments every issue into separate categories
refuses to see the whole
refuses to take responsibility

And because each problem is treated as a standalone issue, the system never has to confront the deeper reality:

All of these crises are connected.

They come from the same root.

They are symptoms of the same design.

This is why people feel overwhelmed.
This is why people feel alone.
This is why people feel like they’re failing.

Because the system has trained us to see only the part we’re trapped in – not the whole structure that created it.

And this is where the cruelty becomes almost elegant in its simplicity:

When you’re struggling, the struggle becomes your entire world.

And that is exactly how the system keeps itself hidden.

If you’re fighting to pay rent, you don’t have the bandwidth to question why housing is unaffordable in the first place.

If you’re juggling three jobs, you don’t have time to question why wages don’t cover basic living costs.

If you’re relying on foodbanks, you don’t have the energy to question why food insecurity exists in a wealthy country.

If you’re drowning in debt, you don’t have the clarity to question why debt is built into the economic model.

If you’re exhausted, you don’t have the strength to question why the system demands exhaustion as a condition of survival.

This is not accidental.
This is not incidental.
This is not unfortunate.

This is structural.

A system that fragments problems keeps people fragmented.

A system that isolates problems keeps people isolated.

A system that personalises problems keeps people powerless.

And this is the point where my own lived experience – and later, my research – began to collide with everything I had seen in politics, government, charities and business.

Because once you recognise the pattern, you start to see it everywhere.

You see it in the way government talks about “helping the vulnerable” while designing systems that create vulnerability.

You see it in the way businesses talk about “opportunity” while structuring work so people can never get ahead.

You see it in the way regulators talk about “fairness” while enforcing rules that entrench inequality.

You see it in the way society talks about “personal responsibility” while ignoring the structural conditions that shape every choice people can make.

And you realise something that changes everything:

People are not failing.

The system is failing.

And people are carrying the cost.

This is the moment the narrative shifts.
This is the moment the illusion cracks.
This is the moment you stop seeing isolated problems and start seeing the architecture behind them.

And once you see the architecture, you can no longer pretend that any single issue – poverty included – can be solved on its own.

Because the truth is simple:

You cannot fix symptoms in a system that is designed to produce them.

You can only fix the system itself.

And that is where the next part of this story begins.

SECTION 3 – Seeing the System from the Inside: My Lived Experience

Long before I ever worked in charities, public policy, regulatory environments, politics or business, I had already seen the system from the ground level – not through theory, but through lived experience.

I grew up in a one‑parent family, in circumstances that would now be described as poverty. At the time, I didn’t have the language for it. I didn’t have the context. I didn’t have the comparisons. I simply lived it.

And that’s the thing about childhood poverty: you don’t know you’re “poor” until the world tells you.

You don’t feel deprived if you’ve never had the things other people take for granted.

You don’t feel different until someone points out the difference.

You don’t feel the weight of the system until it presses down on you.

Looking back, what strikes me most is not the lack of money – it’s the normality of it all.

The rituals of stretching every pound.
The quiet calculations.
The constant trade‑offs.
The small victories that felt enormous.
The moments of shame that arrived without warning.

But the most important part – the part that shaped everything that came later – was this:

When you grow up inside a system that doesn’t work for you, you learn to see the system differently.

You learn to notice the gaps.

You learn to feel the pressure points.

You learn to sense the contradictions.

You learn to recognise when something is being presented as “your fault” when it clearly isn’t.

You learn, very early on, that the world is not designed with everyone in mind.

And once you have it, that awareness never really leaves you.

It sits quietly in the background as you move through life.

It colours the way you see decisions being made.

It shapes the way you interpret policy.

It influences the way you understand power.

It sharpens your sense of fairness.

It makes you pay attention to the things other people overlook.

Later in life, whether I was chairing licensing hearings, building services for charities, developing operational models for a county council, running businesses, or volunteering in roles that put me shoulder‑to‑shoulder with people on the ground, I kept encountering the same pattern from different angles.

And the more I saw, the more I recognised the same pattern I had lived through as a child:

The system creates the conditions.

The system produces the harm.

And then the system tells people the harm is their fault.

This wasn’t just about poverty.

It was about everything.

Housing.
Work.
Food.
Debt.
Health.
Education.
Community.
Governance.
Opportunity.
Security.
Dignity.

Every part of life touched by the system carried the same signature.

And that’s when the realisation began to take shape – slowly at first, then with increasing clarity:

The problem isn’t the people.

The problem is the system.

And the system cannot see itself.

My lived experience didn’t give me the answers. But it gave me the ability to see the questions that weren’t being asked.

It gave me the ability to recognise when a policy was designed to look good rather than do good.

It gave me the ability to sense when a decision was made for optics rather than outcomes.

It gave me the ability to understand why people were struggling even when the numbers said they shouldn’t be.

It gave me the ability to see the human cost behind the spreadsheets, the metrics, the targets, the narratives.

And it gave me something else – something that would become essential later:

The understanding that lived experience is not subjective noise.

It is data.

It is evidence.

It is truth.

This is why, when I began writing Levelling Level in 2022, I wasn’t writing from theory.

I was writing from a lifetime of seeing the system from both sides – the side that suffers its consequences, and the side that creates them.

And that dual perspective became the foundation for everything that followed.

SECTION 4 – Contemporary Evidence of Systemic Failure: My 2023 Research

By the time I began my postgraduate research project in 2023, I had already spent years seeing the system from multiple angles – as a child living within its consequences, and later as an adult working in professional and voluntary roles reaching across the different sectors.

But nothing prepared me for how starkly the system would reveal itself when I stepped into a Gloucestershire foodbank as part of my project.

I didn’t go there to confirm a theory, or qualify my own experience from decades before.

I went there to understand the lived reality of poverty today – to see how it feels, how it functions, and how it is being experienced by the people who have no choice but to navigate it.

What I found was not simply a story about food insecurity. It was a window into the architecture of the entire system.

Because the foodbank wasn’t just a place where people came for food. It was a place where the consequences of the system gathered in one room.

And the experience I had there crystallised something I had sensed for years:

The system is failing people in real time, every day – and it cannot see that it is failing.

A comment I heard from just one of the many professionals supporting people through Foodbanks across the UK today still echoes in my mind:

Sometimes there just isn’t enough money to cover everything.

Not because people are irresponsible.

Not because they are lazy.

Not because they are making poor choices.

But because the system is designed in such a way that survival itself has become a calculation that no longer adds up.

Another stream of words struck me even harder:

The minute you are removed from the ground, it becomes theoretical.

This wasn’t just about politicians and public sector employees.

It was about the entire structure of decision‑making itself.

It was about the distance between those who design policy and those who live with its consequences.

It was about the blindness that comes from never having to experience the realities your decisions create.

It was about the way the system fragments problems so completely that even those working within it struggle to see the whole.

And then there was this:

What used to be a crisis is harder to get out of… we see people more regularly than we used to.

Foodbanks were never meant to be structural.

They were meant to be emergency support.

But the system has normalised crisis.

It has institutionalised scarcity.

It has made emergency provision part of the everyday landscape.

And the people who walk through those doors carry not just hunger, but shame, fear, exhaustion, and a sense of personal failure – even though the failure is not theirs.

One of the most revealing insights came when the foodbank worker said:

If you work with people, you can get almost anyone out of that crisis point… but sometimes there just isn’t enough money to cover everything.

This is the system in a single sentence:

The problem is not the person.
The problem is not the behaviour.
The problem is not the choices.
The problem is the structure.
The problem is the design.
The problem is the system itself.

And yet, the system continues to treat each case as an individual failing – a budgeting issue, a lifestyle issue, a motivational issue – anything except a structural issue.

This is the same pattern I had seen in every sector I’d worked in.

But here, in the foodbank, it was laid bare.

Poverty is not the cause.

Poverty is the evidence.

Poverty is the symptom of a system that no longer works.

And the most important realisation of all was this:

The experience of poverty becomes the entire world for the person living it.

And that is exactly how the system hides the bigger picture.

Because when you are fighting to survive, you cannot step back far enough to see the architecture that created the fight.

This research didn’t change my understanding.

It confirmed it.

It showed me that the fragmentation I had seen in government, politics, business, regulation, and community life was not theoretical.

It was lived.

It was real.

It was happening now.

And it was happening everywhere.

It showed me that the system is not broken in one place – it is broken in every place.

And because it is broken everywhere, it cannot see its own failures anywhere.

This was the moment the work I had been doing since February 2022 shifted from important to unavoidable.

Because once you have seen the system clearly – once you have seen how it behaves, how it hides, how it blames, how it fragments, how it isolates – you realise something that changes everything:

You cannot fix a system that is designed to produce the very problems it claims to solve.

You can only build a new one.

And that is where the next part of this story begins.

SECTION 5 – The Realisation: The System Cannot Be Fixed From Within

By the time I completed and submitted my research project in late 2023, something had become unmistakably clear:

the system wasn’t just failing – it was incapable of recognising its own failures.

And once you see that, you can no longer pretend that reform, tinkering, or “better management” will make any meaningful difference.

Because the truth is this:

You cannot fix a system from within when the system is designed to protect itself from change.

This wasn’t an abstract conclusion.

It was something I had watched unfold repeatedly across every environment I had worked in:

In politics, where decisions were shaped by narratives rather than needs.
In regulatory structures, where rules were written to preserve the system, not improve outcomes.
In charity development, where services existed to fill gaps the system refused to acknowledge.
In local government, where bureaucracy replaced responsibility.
In business operations, where profit dictated priorities even when it harmed people.
In voluntary roles, where the human cost of systemic failure was impossible to ignore.

Everywhere I looked, the same pattern emerged:

The system treats symptoms as isolated problems because acknowledging the cause would require changing itself.

This is why poverty is treated as a budgeting issue.

Why housing is treated as a supply issue.

Why food insecurity is treated as a charity issue.

Why debt is treated as a personal responsibility issue.

Why mental health is treated as an individual resilience issue.

Why community breakdown is treated as a behavioural issue.

Why governance failure is treated as a political issue.

Every problem is reframed in a way that keeps the system intact.

And this is where the realisation becomes unavoidable:

The system is not malfunctioning. It is functioning exactly as designed.

A money‑centric system will always:

prioritise money over people
fragment problems into isolated categories
blame individuals for structural failures
reward behaviours that harm the collective
centralise power away from communities
treat human needs as market variables
hide its own contradictions
resist any change that threatens its logic

This is why the system cannot be repaired.

It can only be replaced.

And this is the point where my earlier work – the books I had written since February 2022 – suddenly made sense as a single, coherent journey.

Levelling Level was the first attempt to articulate the breadth of the problem – to show that no issue exists in isolation, and that political soundbites like “Levelling Up” were distractions from the deeper systemic failures.

The Basic Living Standard emerged because I realised that dignity cannot depend on charity, debt, or government intervention – it must be built into the structure of the economy itself.

From Here to There Through Now explored the transition – the bridge between paradigms – because you cannot leap from a failing system to a new one without understanding the steps in between.

The Way of Awakened Politics for Good Government confronted the reality that governance itself must change – that unconscious decision‑making is the root of systemic harm, and that awakened, values‑based leadership is essential.

A Community Route provided the frameworks – the practical structures that allow communities to lead, decide, and shape their own futures without hierarchy or centralised control.

The Revaluation articulated the paradigm shift – the moment where we stop measuring life through money and begin valuing people, community, and environment as the foundations of a functioning society.

Each book was a step.

Each step revealed another layer.

Each layer exposed another truth.

And together, they led to the same conclusion:

The system cannot be fixed.

But a new system can be built.

A system that sees the whole.

A system that understands interconnectedness.

A system that puts people first.

A system that restores locality, dignity, and responsibility.

A system that treats human needs as non‑negotiable.

A system that values contribution over accumulation.

A system that works with human nature, not against it.

This is the moment where the idea of LEGS – the Local Economy & Governance System – stopped being a concept and became a necessity.

Not because it was perfect.

Not because it was easy.

Not because it was fashionable.

But because once you see the system clearly, you realise:

There is no alternative.

Not if we want a future that works for everyone.

And that is where the next part of this story begins.

SECTION 6 – The Journey Since February 2022: How Each Step Built the Foundations of LEGS

When I look back at the work I’ve produced since February 2022, it’s tempting to see each book as a separate project – a standalone piece responding to a particular moment or question.

But that isn’t what happened.

What actually unfolded was a process of discovery.

A gradual revealing.

A step‑by‑step evolution of understanding.

Each book was written because the one before it raised a deeper question.

Each question led to a clearer insight.

Each insight exposed another layer of the system. And each layer made the next step unavoidable.

None of this was planned.

It emerged.

It unfolded.

It evolved.

And that evolution is the reason LEGS exists at all.

Levelling Level – Seeing the System Clearly for the First Time

Levelling Level was the moment I became certain that the problems we face cannot be solved one at a time.

It exposed:

the fragmentation of public policy
the blindness of political soundbites
the illusion of “Levelling Up”
the failure of both Left and Right
the structural nature of inequality
the way money distorts every decision

It was the first time I articulated the truth that would underpin everything that followed:

You cannot fix a system by treating its symptoms.

You must understand the system as a whole.

Levelling Level was the diagnosis.

The Basic Living Standard – Defining the First Universal Framework

Once I understood the system, the next question was obvious:

What does fairness actually look like in practice?

The Basic Living Standard answered that question.

It introduced the idea that:

dignity must be built into the economic structure
survival cannot depend on charity, debt, or government intervention
the lowest legal wage must be enough to live on
the economy must serve people, not the other way around

This was the first practical framework – the first building block of a new system.

From Here to There Through Now – Understanding the Transition

The next question was equally unavoidable:

How do we get from a failing system to a functioning one?

From Here to There Through Now explored the transition – the bridge between paradigms.

It recognised that:

change is a process, not an event
people need a way to move from the old to the new
the system cannot be replaced overnight
the steps matter as much as the destination

This book was the bridge.

The Way of Awakened Politics for Good Government – Redefining Governance Itself

Once the transition was clear, another question emerged:

What kind of governance can actually deliver fairness, balance, and justice?

The Way of Awakened Politics for Good Government answered that.

It showed that:

unconscious decision‑making is the root of systemic harm
politics today is reactive, self‑interested, and blind
awakened, values‑based leadership is essential
governance must be human, not hierarchical
good government is a method, not an ideology

This book provided the philosophical foundation for a new form of governance.

The Grassroots Manifesto – The Turning Point

And then came the moment where everything shifted.

The Grassroots Manifesto was both a continuation of the journey and a turning point.

It was the first time I articulated:

a fully Grassroots‑Up model of democracy
Local Assemblies and Community Assemblies
the rejection of Top‑Down governance
the principle that power flows from the individual outward
the idea that communities must shape their own futures
the early frameworks that later became A Community Route
the recognition that the future must be built from the bottom up

This was the moment where the governance philosophy became a governance structure.

It was the moment where the idea of a new system stopped being conceptual and started becoming real.

A Community Route – The Practical Frameworks

Once the Grassroots model was clear, the next step was to define the practical structures that would make it work.

A Community Route introduced:

the 11 Principal Frameworks
Economic Localism
People First
No hierarchies
Local decision‑making
Fixed‑value currency
Technology as a tool, not a master
Community‑centred governance

This was the operational blueprint – the practical architecture of a new system.

The Revaluation – The Paradigm Shift (Unpublished but Foundational)

Alongside the published works, another body of thinking was developing – not as a book, but as a deeper conceptual foundation.

I called it The Revaluation.

It wasn’t written for publication.

It wasn’t structured as a standalone work.

It was a set of ideas, reflections, and insights that shaped everything else.

It explored:

the shift from money‑centric to people‑centric
the collapse of the old paradigm
the need to revalue everything
the centrality of community, locality, and stewardship
the philosophical foundation of LEGS

It was the internal work – the thinking beneath the thinking – that made the rest possible.

And then came LEGS – The Local Economy & Governance System

By the time all these pieces were in place, LEGS – developing from its first evolution Our Local Future, was not just an idea.

It was the inevitable conclusion of everything that had come before.

LEGS is:

the synthesis of the diagnosis
the application of the frameworks
the embodiment of the values
the structure of the governance
the architecture of the economy
the practical expression of the paradigm shift

It is the system that sees the whole.

The system that understands interconnectedness.

The system that puts people first.

The system that restores locality, dignity, and responsibility.

The system that works with human nature, not against it.

And it exists because the journey demanded it.

SECTION 7 – Introducing LEGS & the Basic Living Standard as the Systemic Alternative

By the time the journey had unfolded – through lived experience, professional experience, research, reflection, and the evolution of ideas across multiple works – one truth had become impossible to ignore:

The system we live in today cannot deliver fairness, balance, or dignity.

Not because the people within it are bad.

But because the system itself is built on the wrong foundations.

A money‑centric system will always:

prioritise accumulation over contribution
reward extraction over value
centralise power away from communities
fragment problems into isolated categories
blame individuals for structural failures
treat human needs as market variables
measure life in terms of cost rather than meaning

You cannot reform a system that is designed this way.

You cannot tweak it.
You cannot patch it.
You cannot “fix” it from within.

You have to build something different.

Something that starts from a different premise.

Something that begins with a different question.

Something that places value where value actually lives.

And that is where LEGS – the Local Economy & Governance System – comes in.

The LEGS Paradigm Shift

LEGS begins with one simple, radical shift: People First.

Not as a slogan.
Not as a political promise.
Not as a moral aspiration.

But as the structural foundation of the entire system.

In LEGS, people are not variables in an economic model.

They are not units of productivity.
They are not cost centres.
They are not data points.

They are the purpose of the system.

Everything else – the economy, governance, community structures, technology, currency – exists to serve people, not the other way around.

This is the inversion that changes everything.

The Basic Living Standard – The First Framework of a People‑First System

If people come first, then dignity must be non‑negotiable.

And dignity begins with the ability to live – not survive, not scrape by, not rely on charity or debt – but live a stable, healthy, balanced life.

That is what the Basic Living Standard guarantees.

It is not welfare.
It is not subsidy.
It is not a handout.
It is not a political gesture.

It is a structural rule:

Anyone working the lowest legal full‑time wage must be able to afford all essential costs of living – without debt, without charity, without government intervention.

This single framework:

eliminates structural poverty
removes the need for foodbanks
restores dignity to work
stabilises communities
reduces dependency
rebalances the economy
forces businesses to operate ethically
aligns value with contribution
anchors prices to reality
prevents exploitation
removes the hidden subsidies that currently prop up the system

It is the foundation stone of a humane society.

And it is only the beginning.

LEGS is not a policy.

LEGS is a system.

A whole system.

A joined‑up system.

It integrates:

Economic Localism – because real life happens locally
People‑First Governance – because decisions must be made by those who live with the consequences
Grassroots Democracy – because power must flow from the individual outward
Fixed‑Value Currency – because money must be a tool, not a weapon
Community‑Centred Services – because people know what their communities need
Frameworks Instead of Rules – because principles endure, bureaucracy does not
Technology as a Tool – because innovation must serve humanity, not replace it
Local Markets & Supply Chains – because resilience begins at home
Values‑Based Decision‑Making – because the system must reflect what matters

LEGS is not a utopia.
It is not abstract.
It is not theoretical.

It is practical.
It is grounded.
It is human.
It is achievable.

And it is built on the understanding that:

When you design a system around people, everything else begins to work.

Work becomes meaningful.

Communities become resilient.

Governance becomes accountable.

Economies become stable.

Technology becomes ethical.

Value becomes real.

Life becomes balanced.

Dignity becomes universal.

This is not a dream.
It is a design.

A design that emerged not from ideology, but from experience.
Not from theory, but from reality.
Not from abstraction, but from lived truth.

And it is the only system that answers the question that began this entire journey:

How do we build a world that works for everyone?

LEGS is the answer.

SECTION 8 – The Future We Choose

When people ask why I’ve spent years working on this – writing, researching, building, refining – the answer isn’t found in any single moment, book, or experience.

It’s found in the pattern that emerged when all of those moments were placed side by side.

A pattern that revealed a simple truth:

The world we live in today is not inevitable.

It is designed.

And anything designed can be redesigned.

We have been conditioned to believe that the system is too big to change, too complex to understand, too entrenched to challenge.

But systems are not living things.
They do not have consciousness.
They do not have agency.
They do not have power of their own.

People give systems power.
People maintain them.
People enforce them.
People accept them.

And people can choose differently.

That is the quiet truth that sits beneath everything I’ve written, everything I’ve researched, everything I’ve lived:

We are not powerless. We have simply forgotten our power.

The system we have today – the money‑centric, fragmented, hierarchical, centralised system – is not the natural order of things.

It is one way of organising life.
One interpretation.
One design.

And it is failing.

Not because people are failing within it, but because the design itself no longer works for the world we live in.

It cannot see people.
It cannot see communities.
It cannot see interconnectedness.
It cannot see value beyond money.
It cannot see dignity beyond productivity.
It cannot see humanity beyond metrics.

And so it produces outcomes that reflect its own blindness.

But the future does not have to be an extension of the present.
It does not have to be a continuation of the same logic.
It does not have to be a slightly improved version of what we already have.

We can choose differently.

We can choose a system that begins with people, not money.

A system that sees the whole, not the fragments.

A system that values contribution, not accumulation.

A system that restores locality, dignity, and responsibility.

A system that works with human nature, not against it.

A system that treats communities as the foundation, not the afterthought.

A system that understands that fairness is not a luxury – it is the basis of a functioning society.

That system is LEGS.

Not because it is perfect.
Not because it is easy.
Not because it is fashionable.

But because it is built on the only foundation that has ever worked:

People first. Always.

The Basic Living Standard ensures dignity.

Economic Localism ensures resilience.

Grassroots governance ensures accountability.

Frameworks ensure fairness.

Community ensures belonging.

Values ensure direction.

And together, they create something the current system cannot:

A future that works for everyone.

Not a utopia.
Not a fantasy.
Not a dream.

A practical, grounded, human future – built from the bottom up, shaped by the people who live in it, and guided by principles that endure.

This is why I’m doing this.

Not because I believe I have all the answers.

Not because I think I’m the one who will lead the change.

Not because I imagine myself at the centre of anything.

But because I believe in people.

I believe in communities.
I believe in fairness.
I believe in dignity.
I believe in responsibility.
I believe in the possibility of a better world.

And I believe that when people are given the tools, the frameworks, and the opportunity, they will build something extraordinary.

The future is not predetermined.

It is not fixed.

It is not written.

It is chosen.

And the choice begins now – with us, with our communities, with the way we think, the way we act, and the way we imagine what comes next.

The future we need begins with the values we choose today.

And if we choose well – if we choose people, community, dignity, fairness, and truth – then the world that follows will be one worth living in.

The Work Ahead

As you reach the end of this work, it’s worth pausing to recognise something important: nothing in these pages is theoretical. Nothing here is abstract. Nothing here is written for the sake of argument, ideology, or intellectual exercise.

Everything in this book comes from lived experience, from real people, from real communities, from real consequences, and from the realisation that the world we live in today is not the world we have to accept.

The system we inherited was not designed with us in mind. It was built for a different time, a different set of values, and a different understanding of what life should be.

It has served some, harmed many, and shaped all of us in ways we rarely stop to question.

But systems are not permanent. They are not natural laws. They are not immovable truths.

Systems are choices.

And choices can be changed.

LEGS and the Basic Living Standard are not the final answer. They are the beginning of a new conversation – one that starts with people, not power; with communities, not hierarchies; with dignity, not dependency.

They offer a way to rebuild the foundations of society so that everyone has the chance to live a stable, meaningful, and self‑directed life.

But no system, no framework, no set of ideas – no matter how well‑designed – can change the world on its own.

Change happens when people choose to see differently, think differently, act differently, and believe that a better future is not only possible, but necessary.

If this work has done anything, I hope it has shown you that the problems we face are not isolated, accidental, or inevitable. They are connected. They are structural. And because they are structural, they can be rebuilt.

The future will not be shaped by the loudest voices at the top, but by the quiet decisions made in communities, homes, workplaces, and everyday lives.

It will be shaped by people who refuse to drift any longer, who refuse to be pushed around by winds they never chose, and who decide to take hold of the engine that has always been theirs.

A new world does not begin with governments, institutions, or declarations.

It begins with people.

It begins with us.

The work ahead is not easy. It will not be quick. It will not be perfect. But it will be real. And it will be ours.

If we choose it.

This is the end of the LEGS story.

But it is the beginning of the journey itself.

The Local Economy & Governance System | Online Text

Featured

We recognise that today’s world is dysfunctional and broken. Yet, we often refuse to discuss, consider, or collaborate on solutions beyond those we already identify with or feel we own. We seek change from leaders and politicians who are invested in maintaining the status quo – often promising a return to times that seemed better, even though we know we cannot freeze time or truly go back to the past.

The uncomfortable truth is that the path we are on leads to poor outcomes, no matter whom we follow or which direction we turn. Our current roadmap keeps us trapped in the same broken paradigm, regardless of the leader or popular figure we choose.

While we have choices within our existing systems, these are options created by others. None of them genuinely benefit us or offer a future that works for everyone. Taking control of our future is not just a personal choice – it requires collective participation, contribution, and action. This will not be easy, especially when it seems logical to stick with familiar choices that fit our current worldview.

To envision a better way of living, most of us need at least a glimpse of what that future could look and feel like – even if it’s hard to imagine without the things we currently prioritise. So, let’s consider a snapshot of a world that truly works for everyone: a world where the “Moneyocracy” we’re addicted to is gone, replaced by a fully functioning system of Authentic Governance.

The world’s problems today need no further introduction. If you are reading this, you are likely experiencing the negative effects of misused power and influence, or you see how they impact others who lack the ability to change things.

The Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS) offers a look ahead – showing the key structures, learning, and understanding of a society for tomorrow that has left behind everything wrong with today’s way of living. LEGS provides a vision of what overarching public policy could be, once we accept that life will be better for everyone if we let go of what we think benefits us today, but in reality, only harms us and offers no true benefit to humanity or the world.

People, Community, and Environment – simple, local, and open living – are the founding principles for a fair, balanced, and just economy and governance system, ready to be established when we are.

Adam Tugwell
Cheltenham, UK.

20 November 2025

Introduction

We stand at a crossroads in history – a moment defined not by the promises of distant leaders or the allure of old systems, but by the urgent need for genuine change.

The world we inherit is marked by imbalance, inequality, and a persistent sense that something vital has been lost.

For too long, society has been shaped by structures that serve profit over people, hierarchy over community, and short-term gain over the enduring health of our environment.

This book is not just a critique of what has gone wrong. It is a blueprint for what can be made right.

Here, you are invited to imagine a future built on the principles of dignity, collective responsibility, and stewardship – a future where every person’s essential needs are guaranteed, and where the wellbeing of the community and the environment are placed above all else.

The Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS) is presented as a practical framework for transformation. It rejects the old paradigms of power and wealth, offering instead a model rooted in locality, transparency, and authentic participation.

In these pages, you will discover how governance can be reimagined as a truly democratic, people-centric process; how the economy can circulate value within communities rather than extract it; and how every member of society can contribute meaningfully to the common good.

This introduction is your invitation to engage – not as a passive reader, but as an active participant in the creation of a fair, sustainable, and resilient society.

The ideas within are not distant ideals; they are actionable steps, grounded in lived experience and collective wisdom. As you read, consider not only what must change, but how you can be part of that change—starting in your own community, with the choices you make and the values you uphold.

Let us move forward together, guided by the principles of People, Community, and The Environment.

The journey begins here.

The Tipping Point: Why and How We Get LEGS

Identifying the Touchpaper of Transformation

The journey toward adopting the Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS) is not just a matter of policy—it is a profound transformation from the entrenched “Moneyocracy” to a people-centric way of living.

While this book explores the principles and structures of LEGS, it is essential to understand the process and circumstances that will catalyse this change.

Earlier works such as Levelling Level and From Here to There Through Now have discussed the inevitability and challenges of such transformation, emphasising that change is both a choice and an ongoing commitment, especially when circumstances make it difficult to act.

Change Requires Choice and Action

Transformation to LEGS will not happen automatically.

In an ideal world, everyone would recognise the need to shift from a money-centric to a people-centric system and work together to make it happen immediately.

However, the reality is that many remain deeply invested in the current system, believing that hierarchy, centralisation, and the primacy of money are the only viable ways to organise society.

This belief is reinforced by decades of dependency and addiction to the money system, as described in the book’s critique of the “Moneyocracy”.

Pain as the Catalyst for Change

Regrettably, it is often personal or collective pain that becomes the catalyst for change.

People may only embrace a new system when the suffering caused by the old one outweighs perceived benefits.

This echoes the book’s insight that genuine transformation often arises from crisis, not comfort.

What Might Trigger Transformation?

While predicting the exact catalyst is impossible – since free will and choice remain – several realistic as well as outlying or ‘black swan event’ scenarios could spark the transition to LEGS:

Financial Collapse (UK): The UK government may reach a point where it cannot fund public services due to unsustainable debt, prompting urgent systemic change.
Global Financial Collapse: Worldwide economic failure, potentially triggered by unstable monetary policies, AI or cryptocurrency bubbles, or a repeat of the 2007/08 crisis, could force a revaluation of priorities.
War (Regional or Global): Ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions could escalate, with war being used to mask systemic failures and maintain elite control.
Disclosure Event: Unprecedented revelations—such as proof of extraterrestrial life—could radically alter humanity’s perspective and disrupt established power structures.
Other Domino Events: Civil unrest, food shortages, or even civil war could serve as tipping points, whether orchestrated or seemingly organic.

These scenarios align with this book’s analysis of how crises—financial, social, or environmental—often expose the flaws of the old system and create openings for new models.

The Consequences of Inaction

Failing to act – whether by choice or by default – has profound and far-reaching consequences for individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

Inaction is not a neutral stance; it is itself a decision that shapes the future, often in ways that reinforce the very systems and problems we wish to escape.

1. Entrenchment of the Status Quo

When people do not actively choose change, those already in positions of power and influence continue to define the future.

These individuals and groups may present themselves as protectors or saviours, but their solutions often involve further restrictions on freedom, increased surveillance, and the erosion of personal sovereignty.

The illusion of safety is used to justify the loss of genuine autonomy and dignity.

This dynamic is described in the book as the perpetuation of “Moneyocracy,” where profit, hierarchy, and control remain the organising principles of society, and the needs of people, community, and the environment are subordinated to financial interests.

2. The Rise of Dystopian Futures

Inaction allows those in control to implement policies and systems that may lead to a dystopian future – one characterised by inequality, loss of freedoms, and widespread disempowerment.

This book warns that such futures are not accidental; they are the result of deliberate choices made by those who benefit from the current system, often using the public’s own desires and fears against them.

3. The Illusion of Individualism and Isolation

A major consequence of inaction is the reinforcement of the belief that each person is alone and powerless.

This sense of isolation serves the interests of the current system, making individuals feel vulnerable and incapable of effecting change.

The reality, as emphasised throughout, is that collective action and shared purpose are the true sources of power and transformation.

4. Perpetuation of Social and Economic Pain

Without action, the pain and suffering caused by the existing system – poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and loss of community – will continue and likely intensify.

The system is designed to maintain itself, often at the expense of the majority, and will use crises (financial, social, or environmental) to justify further consolidation of power.

5. Missed Opportunities for Genuine Change

Inaction means missing the critical window to choose and implement a better future.

All the books that have led to LEGS stress that change requires both a shift in mindset and active participation.

Waiting for someone else to initiate change only ensures that the system remains unchanged, and that the opportunity for transformation is lost.

6. The Responsibility of Choice

It is vital to recognise that not choosing is itself a choice.

Culturally, many have become accustomed to leaving decisions to others, assuming that change will come from external sources.

However, the reality is that those “in the spotlight” are often invested in maintaining the system as it is, rather than truly transforming it.

7. The Need for Collective Action

My books since Levelling Level have repeatedly highlighted that real change is only possible when individuals recognise their interconnectedness and collaborate.

The power to create and implement a system that works for all – such as LEGS – comes from collective action, not isolated efforts.

In summary:
The consequences of inaction are not just the continuation of current problems, but the deepening of inequality, loss of freedom, and the entrenchment of systems that do not serve the public good.

Only by consciously choosing and acting together can we avoid these outcomes and build a future rooted in dignity, community, and sustainability.

Choosing Our Future – Together

Ultimately, the choice for transformation must be conscious and collective.

It does not matter when we make this choice, as long as it is before reaching the point of no return.

The greatest threat is the illusion of isolation—the belief that we are alone and powerless.

In reality, our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are powerful, and when we choose to collaborate, we gain the ability to create and implement a system that truly serves everyone.

This message is echoed throughout the main document, which emphasises the principles of People, Community, and The Environment as the foundation for authentic governance and a fair, sustainable society.

Welcome to The Local Economy & Governance System.

Brief History and Evolution of LEGS

The Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS) is the result of a multi-year journey of research, writing, and practical experimentation.

Its origins trace back to early 2022, with the publication of Levelling Level, which challenged the prevailing political narratives and introduced the idea of a people-centric system.

This work highlighted the urgent need for a Basic Living Standard—a guarantee that everyone can meet their essential needs independently.

Building on these foundations, The Basic Living Standard explored how the UK’s minimum wage failed to provide true financial independence, and proposed a new approach to work and business focused on meeting essential needs for all.

Subsequent books, including From Here to There Through Now, The Way of Awakened Politics for Good Government, and The Grassroots Manifesto, argued that genuine reform must come from the grassroots, not from centralised or top-down structures.

These works laid out the first steps for a governance model built from the community up, emphasising local relationships and direct participation.

Further development came through A Community Route and An Economy for the Common Good, which advocated for community collaboration, localised economics, and social enterprise as the backbone of a fair society.

Insights from works on food security, values, and technology—such as Who Controls Our Food Controls Our Future, Your Beliefs Today create Everyone’s Tomorrow, and Actions Speak Louder than Digital Words—were integrated, highlighting the importance of local control, ethical stewardship, and the dangers of external influence.

In 2024, Our Local Future synthesized these lessons into a comprehensive vision for a society built on locality, community, and environmental stewardship.

This work became the direct basis for the LEGS framework, offering a blueprint for restructuring society around local empowerment, authentic governance, and sustainable living.

LEGS now stands as a practical system designed to deliver a fair, balanced, and just society for all—rooted in the principles of People, Community, and The Environment.

Glossary of Terms

Authentic Governance
A system of governance rooted in local, democratic, and community-driven decision-making. It prioritises transparency, accessibility, and the direct involvement of all community members, ensuring that leadership is accountable and serves the public good rather than private interests.

Basic and Essential Foods
Foods that are critical for a healthy and happy life. They must be accessible, affordable, nutritious, locally grown and produced, and free from artificial additives or harmful chemicals. Their supply is recognised as a Public Good and is prioritised above all other food categories.

Basic Living Standard
A foundational guarantee that ensures every individual earning the lowest legal weekly wage can afford all essential costs of living—food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transport, clothing, communication, and modest social participation—without falling into debt, relying on welfare, or turning to charity.

Community Contributions
A system where every working member of the community contributes 10% of their working week to support local public services and charity provision. This replaces traditional public sector staffing with a community-led workforce.

Community Provision
The redefined public sector, encompassing all services and support systems essential to a culture built around People, Community, and The Environment. It is locally accountable, ethically grounded, and responsive to real needs.

Circumpunct
A practical and symbolic model for community decision-making. It is a circular arrangement where representatives and speakers engage openly, ensuring transparency, accountability, and collective wisdom in governance and mediation.

Flat Hierarchy
A societal structure where roles are different but not ranked, and leadership arises naturally through service and ability rather than status or authority. It emphasises collaboration, equality, and shared purpose.

Key Skills for Life
Essential abilities recognised as a Public Good, including critical thinking, self-awareness, food production, clothing repair, ethical use of technology, and more. These skills are foundational for personal sovereignty and community wellbeing.

LEGS (Local Economy & Governance System)
A comprehensive framework for society that centres on the principles of People, Community, and The Environment. It seeks to replace hierarchical, profit-driven systems with local, transparent, and collectively responsible models for governance, economy, and daily life.

Local Circular Economy
An economic model where value circulates within the local area, prioritising local production, ethical governance, and shared responsibility. It minimizes external dependencies and ensures that economic activity serves people and the environment.

Local Market Exchange
A physical and community-regulated marketplace for trading goods and services, often through barter or direct exchange. It ensures fair trade, transparency, and that value remains within the community.

Luxury Foods
Foods that are not essential for health or nutrition, including processed, ultra-processed, and synthesized foods. Their production and advertising are restricted to protect the integrity of local food systems.

Moneyocracy
A term describing the Old-World system where money, wealth, and profit were the primary measures of value and success, leading to social inequality and environmental degradation.

Natural Resources
All resources provided by nature (such as water, land, minerals) are held in stewardship by the community. They are not commodities and must be managed ethically, equitably, and for the public good.

Parish / Universal Parish (Uniparish)
The foundational local unit of society, business, and governance. It is designed to be self-contained, with all essential needs met locally, and is the central structure for community life.

People, Community, The Environment
The three core principles guiding all aspects of the LEGS system. Every decision, policy, and practice is evaluated based on its impact on these priorities.

Personal Sovereignty
The inherent right and capacity of everyone to live freely, responsibly, and authentically, provided their actions do not compromise the sovereignty of others. It is the foundation of freedom, dignity, and ethical society.

Public Good
A service, resource, or standard that must be guaranteed for all, forming the foundation of authentic governance. Public Goods cannot be altered, misrepresented, or bypassed, and always supersede inherited laws or practices that conflict with their purpose.

Social Business
A non-profit organisation operated for the public good, especially where private businesses do not provide essential goods or services. Social Businesses are collectively owned, transparent, and accountable to the community.

Part 1: Where Things have gone Wrong for Society Today

Key Lessons from Today’s World

In reflecting on the failures of the Old World—what many still recognize as the present—we uncover a sobering reality: those with power and privilege were often willing to sacrifice the wellbeing of humanity for their own gain.

The pursuit of profit, status, and material wealth routinely overshadowed the value of people, community, and the environment. This imbalance was not the result of conspiracy, but the predictable outcome of unchecked greed and a culture obsessed with material accumulation.

To maintain their dominance, elites and those in control of governments orchestrated conditions that enabled profiteering and ever-greater control.

Wars, environmental collapse, and information-driven crises were manufactured and justified through carefully crafted narratives—stories promoted by mass media that shaped public perception and obscured deeper truths.

These narratives, often presented as being in humanity’s best interest, consistently promoted “progress” as the only viable path forward, while ignoring the wisdom and solutions already discovered in history and nature.

The fundamental lesson is clear: genuine respect for people, community, and the environment is not profitable for those who prioritise wealth and power. This simple truth lies at the heart of the persistent injustice and disharmony that has plagued human society.

We Always Want More

To truly understand the root flaw behind so many of the problems we face—and why they seem impossible to solve—you must confront a difficult truth: we always want more.

This desire explains why we often ignore the suffering of others, even though we would hope for compassion if we were in their place.

We want more money.
More wealth.
More power.
More influence.
More recognition.
More of the things we enjoy.
More popularity.
More time to do what we want.
More people to agree with us.
More love.
More sex.
More admiration.

It doesn’t matter what it is—as long as it’s external to us, we want more of it.

Even when we already have more than we could ever need, or even use, the craving persists.

What We Need Is Not What We Want

From the Old World, we learned a critical lesson: when we live as though our wants are the same as our needs—simply because our wants seem affordable—we inadvertently condemn others to lives where even their basic needs remain out of reach. The result is widespread deprivation, manifesting in countless forms.

Though the mechanisms and consequences were often hidden from view, the rise of Wealth Inequality—what was once called the Wealth Divide—stemmed from the selfishness and greed of a privileged few.

This imbalance was not only tolerated but actively encouraged by those who aspired to emulate them.

We now understand that ignorance, blindness, and a lack of awareness about how our actions affect others do not excuse those actions.

That’s why we place Self-Awareness—awareness of the individual and, by extension, awareness of others—at the heart of our commitment to an egalitarian society.

It is a foundational principle within our values of People, Community, and the Environment.

No Business Is More Important Than the Public Good

In the Old World, the elevation of business interests above all else led to a distorted sense of value—where profit was mistaken for progress, and economic metrics were used to justify social neglect.

The ideology of Neoliberalism, embraced widely from the early 1970s, promoted the belief that free markets and corporate growth would naturally solve societal issues.

This system entrenched inequality, eroded community cohesion, and degraded the environment.

Globalisation, born from this mindset, normalised the idea that business and finance mattered more than people. Human needs became secondary to shareholder returns. Communities were reshaped to serve commercial interests, and the environment was treated as a resource to be exploited rather than protected.

We have rejected this model.

In its place, we have built a society rooted in the principle that People come first. Community comes first. The Environment comes first.

Business now exists to serve—not to dominate. No enterprise, regardless of its size or influence, holds priority over the well-being of the community it operates within.

Essential services—those critical to the safety, health, and security of all—are operated as Social Businesses.

These are not owned by private interests or shareholders seeking profit. They are owned collectively by The Community, with every decision made in service of the Public Good.

This shift marks a return to balance. A recognition that true prosperity is measured not by profit margins, but by the health, harmony, and resilience of the people and places we call home.

Real Progress Is Not Restricted to One Direction

The Old World taught us a flawed lesson: that Progress—and the ideology of Progressivism—was linear and one-dimensional.

Guarded fiercely by its champions, this belief failed to recognise that true progress can take many forms. Sometimes, it may even appear to be a step backward.

In reality, progress can move in any direction—across the full 360 degrees of possibility.

Obsessive leaders and activists, clinging to the idea that forward motion alone equates to improvement, often caused harm across all areas of life.

Their mistake was rooted in a misguided belief: that discarding history and lived experience in favour of constant forward momentum would always lead to better outcomes.

But in truth, this relentless push often led society backward—especially in terms of the real-world consequences people faced.

We reject the notion of failure as something to be feared or hidden. Instead, we value experience—every outcome, every lesson—as a vital teacher.

We understand that returning to what has already been proven to work, no matter how simple, is often wiser than blindly chasing novelty or complexity for its own sake.

We celebrate what is tried and tested. We do not pursue change merely to demonstrate action or to manufacture the illusion of progress.

True progress is measured not by direction, but by impact.

Money: The Rigged Game with a Real-Life Cheat Code

One of the most difficult truths to accept from the Old World was the way money worked—and the complex web of systems, rules, laws, and mechanisms that had been created, altered, and refined to make it function as it did.

We came to understand that the monetary and financial system—known by many as FIAT—was the cornerstone of a structure that, to those who controlled it, resembled nothing more than a game. And like any game, it carried no real consequences for those who understood its mechanics.

What made this system so dangerous and damaging for the majority wasn’t simply that the Elites knew it was a game. The real threat lay in the fact that, like many computer games, this one had a built-in cheat code.

That cheat code was the ability to create money out of thin air.

As time went on, this power was used more frequently, and the consequences—just like in any simulated game—were severe and disproportionately harmful to those who still believed the system was real and fair.

By the end of the Old World, those in control could buy anything they desired, while the value of money held by poorer individuals steadily evaporated. The system’s architects simply printed more, further distorting the balance.

We reject this illusion.

We do not accept that money—or any form of currency—holds value beyond its practical purpose.

We prohibit any communication, action, or activity that promotes the idea that money is anything more than a tool: a temporary method of exchange, a means of transferring value between transactions, and nothing else.

Money is not power. It is not progress. It is not truth.

It is a tool—and only a tool.

Normality Cannot Be Dictated by Others

The Old World was fixated on defining what was ‘normal.’

It became widely accepted—especially by those in power—that controlling the narrative of what was deemed ‘normal’ could be weaponised to label others as ‘wrong.’

But normality is not conformity. It is not the ‘accepted same’ that the Old-World system used to suppress individuality and difference.

True normality is the state of Personal Sovereignty—the experience of being fully oneself.

It is the understanding that peace and happiness are not granted by society, institutions, or external validation. They are the inner gifts of the individual, shaped by their own truth.

Normality, for each person, is the expression of their Authentic Self.

Distance Creates a Critical Weakness in Leadership

In the Old World, every so-called democracy ultimately failed due to its overreliance on hierarchical structures.

These hierarchies created a growing distance between those who governed and those they were meant to serve. As this gap widened, leaders became increasingly insulated from the realities of everyday life.

We learned that this separation—this lack of direct contact between public representatives and the people—led to a dangerous disconnect.

Leaders, cut off from the lived experiences of their communities, lost sight of the consequences of their decisions.

As the insulation deepened, dysfunction spread across legislation, public services, and governance itself. Systems meant to serve the people were led by individuals who had, in effect, disenfranchised themselves—leaving behind a population that felt ignored, abandoned, and unheard.

From this failure, we discovered a vital truth: the true point of power in any system of governance must be the People.

We have built and continue to uphold a model of Authentic Governance that reflects this principle.

Authentic Governance eliminates the systemic abuse that plagued the Old World. It ensures that leadership is not distant but rooted in community.

Here, in The Local Economy & Governance System, the majority rules—by ruling together.

Governance is local, democratic, and run by and for The Community.

This is how leadership thrives: not through hierarchy, but through connection.

Doing the Right Thing Has Many Interpretations—But Only One Truth

The Old World revealed a painful lesson: power, no matter how small or far-reaching, was often intoxicating enough to strip those entrusted with responsibility of their genuine humanity.

Self-interest, coupled with a fading awareness of others, led many to believe that what served their own interests must also serve the interests of everyone else.

This distortion became widespread—across politics, business, finance, and the supranational institutions that emerged after the Second World War and into the early 21st century.

Leaders lost sight of what it truly means to hold responsibility and influence over the lives of others.

Those in power—and those influencing them—forgot their duty to the public and the vulnerable.

They acted as if their decisions could be made without consequence, even as the long-term effects of their self-serving choices became increasingly visible in the suffering of society.

We have chosen a different path.

We have built a system of Authentic Governance that prevents any individual or group from placing their own interests above those of The Community.

This system remains true and accountable to everyone—regardless of power, position, or influence.

We do the right thing.
Not for some.
Not for the few.
But for everyone.

The Moneyocracy

In the Old World, the one true religion—especially in the West—was Money.

Wealth, power, and influence were its sacred trinity, each inextricably linked to the other.

This belief system shaped not only economies, but the very fabric of society.

Some may still resist the idea that life was entirely coin operated. But with even a moment of honest reflection, it becomes clear: money was the engine behind everything.

It defined our values.

It dictated our choices.

It shaped our relationships, our institutions, and our sense of worth.

Whether we realised it or not, we were all citizens of a Moneyocracy—a world governed not by principles, but by profit.

Money: A Belief System Fuelled by Greed

Arguably the most destructive force in any society is the deeply ingrained—and deliberately engineered—belief that money creation, profit, and economic growth are the ultimate measures of success and happiness.

The Old World, and the system it upheld, revolved around this belief. For over 50 years, it was driven by flawed, self-serving economic ideologies such as Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and Neoliberalism.

“More wants more” wasn’t just a saying—it became the unspoken mantra behind every decision, every ambition, and every system.

The pursuit of more—more money, more growth, more consumption—spread like a disease through every layer of society.

The adoption of the FIAT money system and the use of GDP as a primary measure of progress, beginning around 1971, marked the acceleration of the social decay that a money-based order—or “Moneyocracy”—inevitably brings.

Over time, the world was reprogrammed to operate on the assumption that money was the only priority, the only true source of value.

This shift happened so subtly, so pervasively, that most people didn’t even realise it had occurred.

This distortion of reality was made possible by the myths we were taught about money—myths that replaced meaningful values with hollow ones.

In the process, we lost sight of what truly matters: People, Community, and the Environment.

Every persistent and seemingly unsolvable problem in the Old World—social inequality, environmental degradation, political dysfunction—was rooted in this addiction to money and the relentless accumulation of wealth.

Over time, every institution, every law, and every cultural norm bent toward the singular goal of enriching those who already had the most.

We have reversed this trajectory.

Governance has shifted from top-down control to grassroots empowerment.

Business is no longer driven by wealth creation, but by the well-being of People, the strength of Community, and the health of the Environment.

This transformation was not optional—it was essential.

Because the paths of Money and the paths of People, Community, and the Environment are fundamentally incompatible.

Only the system we now embrace— The Local Economy & Governance System —can deliver true Balance, Fairness, and Justice for all.

Poverty Is Not Real to Those Who Don’t Experience It

Throughout history, attempts to address poverty in England date back to the Henrician Poor Laws of the Tudor era under Henry VIII.
Despite a notable push in the 19th century, the question—“How do we end poverty once and for all?”—remained unanswered.

This failure was especially evident in the post-Covid period (2020–2025), when both Conservative and Labour governments in the UK failed to grasp the difference between:

Technical acknowledgment that poverty exists
And the experiential reality of living in poverty

A cultural belief persisted:

“For some to be wealthy, many others must be poor.”

This shibboleth enabled a system where wealth was accumulated to disproportionate levels, far beyond personal need.

The cycle of investment for gain only accelerated wealth inequality, which those benefiting from it refused to acknowledge—legitimising their advantage through position and power.

The Consequences of Poverty

Poverty creates a 360-degree network of consequences:

It affects not only those who suffer it
But also The Community as a whole

Though laws and systems were framed to address poverty, none of them were morally or ethically sound.
They sustained inequality rather than dismantling it.

“Man cannot serve two masters. An archer cannot pull two bows. A jockey cannot ride two horses.”

It became inevitable that the entire system would need to be:

Reversed
Redirected
Reformed
Reestablished

…to uphold the moral and ethical imperative that every Member of The Community must be able to live independently and self-sufficiently.

The Misuse of AI

In the Old World, artificial intelligence was gradually introduced over many years leading up to 2023.

Initially, it appeared in the form of hidden algorithms—quietly embedded in e-commerce platforms and search engines—offering faster responses but little transparency.

By 2023, direct and interactive forms of AI became publicly accessible. With this shift, the true commercial intent behind AI deployment became clear—as did the manipulation of public narratives designed to instill fear and confusion around digital technology.

The failure of governing bodies to regulate AI came at a cost far greater than financial. It undermined the very fabric of society.

The key drivers behind AI misuse were:

AI was deployed to preserve and advance the interests of the Old World’s Moneyocracy.
Its primary function became profit generation.
Its secondary function became social control.

The most insidious form of this control was the systematic deprogramming of humanity—achieved through internet platforms and AI-driven technologies.

These tools, whether by design or consequence, disrupted natural cognitive processes. Over the course of a generation, they eroded the human capacity to learn, think critically, and reach independent conclusions.

This assault on executive function—and therefore on Personal Sovereignty—did not begin with AI in 2023, as many were led to believe. It began much earlier, with the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets.

Unregulated AI is now understood to be anti-human, anti-equality, anti-environment, and anti-freedom.

It poses a direct threat to the foundational values of People, Community, and the Environment.

We acknowledge that AI can offer benefits—but only under strict regulation and ethical oversight. Its use must be supported by continuous Key Skills for Life training, ensuring that humanity remains in control of the tools it creates.

Net Zero

We reject any form of public policy rooted in fear or designed to serve the wealth accumulation of individuals or select groups.

In the Old World, environmental concerns—often framed under the banner of “green” initiatives—were frequently misused and politically manipulated to advance agendas that had little to do with sustainability and everything to do with profit or control.

We have moved beyond that.

Through the implementation and ongoing practice of Sustainable Living, we have addressed the environmental challenges that were once exploited.

These practices are not driven by fear, nor by financial gain—they are grounded in responsibility, balance, and respect for People, Community, and the Environment.

The Food Supply: A Tool for Elite Wealth Creation and Societal Control

In the Old World, the elites and governing classes systematically dismantled genuine local food production.

They centralised control, eroded local supply chains, and weakened the infrastructure that once supported healthy, community-based living.

Globalisation moved in only one direction—toward consolidation and control. Instruments like the European Union and the Common Agricultural Policy were used to reshape food systems, leaving behind a hollowed-out society where People, Community, and the Environment had once thrived.

Productionism was sold as progress. Farmers and food producers were told it was good. But in reality, it fuelled rampant consumerism and opened the door to myths that globalism benefited everyone.

The only part of the globalisation story that needed to make sense was the promise of lower retail prices.

Yet for those directly affected, lower prices meant little when businesses collapsed, jobs disappeared, and communities were left behind.

The real cost—social, environmental, and nutritional—was hidden from public view.

Productionism relied heavily on chemicals and industrial processes that gradually destroyed soil health and land productivity.

As the land became less capable of sustaining life, elites pushed new narratives claiming traditional agriculture was outdated and unreliable.

Worse still, the accepted view suggested that naturally grown foods—produced by independent farmers, small businesses, and community enterprises—could no longer meet public demand.

This was never about efficiency or progress. It was about greed, profiteering, and control.

Every step of this so-called “progress” made the food people consumed less healthy, less nourishing, and less beneficial to society.

We reject this model.

We recognise that true Food Security depends on a food chain that functions as an ecosystem—interconnected, resilient, and rooted in place.

Our food system is predominantly local. The majority of Basic and Essential Foods are sourced from local supply chains, available year-round, and built to serve People, Community, and the Environment—not profit.

Part 2: Our Values

People, Community, The Environment

The Local Economy & Governance System is built on a people-centric foundation—guiding every aspect of life, from our Values and Lifestyle to Business, Economy, and Governance.

At the heart of this framework are our Three Key Principles:

People
Community
The Environment

We place the Person—and their Personal Sovereignty—at the centre of everything.

How we value each individual, and how each individual values others, defines the strength and integrity of our society.

We understand that only through a people-focused Community—functioning as a living ecosystem in harmony with The Environment—can we create a truly Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Secure foundation for life.

This is supported by a system of Authentic Governance: one that is Balanced, Fair, and Just for all.

Locality Is Everything

Locality—and the development of fully Localised, community-centric systems—is recognised as a Public Good.

Local supply chains foster transparency.

And transparency is the foundation of trust and accountability.

These qualities are essential for building a system of Authentic Governance—one that places People, Community, and The Environment at its core.

A truly Localised System functions as a circular ecosystem, where every part supports and sustains the whole. It operates reliably and consistently, guided by the principles of People, Community, and The Environment.

This approach ensures that decisions and outcomes serve the best interests of all.

The Public Good

The Public Good is the guiding standard—the benchmark—of our system of Authentic Governance.

It defines the areas of life where access to Basic and Essential Foods, Goods, and Services must be guaranteed for all.

Each Public Good forms part of the foundational framework that enables our governance system to function at its highest level.

Every Public Good acknowledges the positive contributions of individuals, businesses, and organisations—their actions, agendas, use of resources, and stewardship of property—when those efforts benefit The Community.

A Public Good exists to uphold, strengthen, and expand our Three Core Principles:

People
Community
The Environment

A Public Good cannot be altered, misrepresented, ignored, or bypassed under any circumstance.

It supersedes all laws, regulations, and practices inherited from the Old World that relate to or conflict with its purpose.

A Public Good is not optional—it is a practice required by The Community.

The Public Goods of The Local Economy & Governance System (Condensed)

Agriculture, Fisheries, and Home Growing: Local, sustainable production of food is prioritised and protected as a community resource.
The Authentic Governance System (TAGS): Governance is local, democratic, transparent, and accountable to all community members.
Basic Essentials for Life: Every person is guaranteed access to food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transport, clothing, communication, and social participation.
The Basic Living Standard: Full-time work at the lowest wage covers all essential living costs, ensuring dignity and independence.
Essential or Basic Foods: Nutritious, locally produced foods are accessible, affordable, and free from harmful additives.
Housing and Its Universal Provision: Housing is a right, not a commodity; each person may own or occupy only one home.
Key Skills for Life: Critical life skills—such as self-awareness, food production, and ethical technology use—are taught and practiced by all.
The Local Food Chain: Food supply is managed locally, transparently, and sustainably, with community trust at its core.
Locality: Local supply chains and decision-making foster transparency, trust, and accountability.
Services Using Natural Resources: Community stewardship ensures ethical, equitable access to water, land, and other natural resources.
News and Community Information: Local media platforms provide transparent, inclusive news and information for all.
Social Learning: Community-based learning supports personal development, ethical awareness, and social responsibility.
Sustainable Living: All members practice responsible use of resources, prioritising recycling, repair, and local production.
Transport (for Genuine Need and Necessity): Transport is provided for essential needs, with a focus on sustainability and shared access.
The Circumpunct: A circular, non-hierarchical model for community decision-making, ensuring every voice is heard and governance remains transparent and participatory.

Our Expectation for Each Member of The Community

The Community holds a simple but profound expectation: that every Member will live the best life they can—rooted in the experience, enjoyment, and empowerment of Personal Sovereignty.

Personal Sovereignty can only flourish under the right conditions. It requires that each person lives a life that is Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Secure—within a system that is Balanced, Fair, and Just.

We recognise that it would be unjust to expect individuals to thrive without first ensuring they are fully equipped to do so.

That is why The Community accepts its responsibility: to build, uphold, and continuously maintain the Governance, Frameworks, and Systems that make Personal Sovereignty possible.

This commitment is not just for today. It is a promise to every person alive now—and to every generation yet to come—that the opportunity to live freely, fully, and authentically will always be protected and preserved.

Our Priorities and Their Function

Our Three Core Principles—People, Community, and The Environment—are not just values. They are our active priorities.

Together, as a Community, we promote, protect, and uphold Personal Sovereignty for every individual. This means empowering each person to live freely, responsibly, and with dignity.

We prioritise what we need, not what we want.

We recognise Money and Currency as tools—nothing more. They serve practical purposes but hold no intrinsic value beyond exchange.

To fulfil our priorities, we have built—and continue to refine—a system of Authentic Governance. This system is rooted in a Local, Circular Economy that involves everyone and benefits everyone.

It is through this inclusive, sustainable framework that our principles come to life—ensuring a society that is Balanced, Fair, and Just for all.

The Right Decisions Are Made in the Moment

Making decisions on behalf of the majority—decisions that serve the best interests of all—is never easy.

In the Old World, politicians and those in positions of influence often fell into a trap of their own design: believing they could dictate long chains of public policy decisions based on imagined future outcomes.

They assumed control over circumstances they could never truly govern—over the free will of others, over unfolding events, and over the unpredictable nature of life itself.

This approach was not just flawed—it was dishonest. And when things inevitably went wrong, the damage was compounded by the lies, cover-ups, and narratives created to conceal the consequences of poor decision-making.

We reject this way of governing.

We make decisions in the moment—in the here and now—based on what is known, what is real, and what is relevant.

Every decision is guided by its immediate and foreseeable impact on:

People
Community
The Environment

We also consider how each decision interacts with existing policies and systems, ensuring coherence and integrity.

This principle is a cornerstone of Authentic Governance.

It is encouraged throughout society as a healthy, responsible, and empowering way to live—one that strengthens Personal Sovereignty and builds trust in the decisions we make together.

Freedom

True, unrestricted Freedom is achieved through Personal Sovereignty.

Each Person is free to think.

Each Person is free to act and behave as they choose—so long as their actions do not compromise, or have the potential to compromise, the Personal Sovereignty of another Person or Group.

Any action that creates advantage for one by disadvantaging another is considered morally and ethically wrong.

Likewise, the creation, existence, or manipulation of any law, regulation, or legal device that enables discrimination or harm toward any Person or Group is also morally and ethically unacceptable.

Our foundation is simple and universal:

What is right for all People—regardless of difference—must align with the Principles of

People
Community
The Environment

This is the foundation of The Local Economy & Governance System.

Freedom is not the absence of responsibility. It is the space in which the Authentic Self can live, grow, and thrive—without fear, without oppression, and without compromise.

Personal Sovereignty and Power

Personal Sovereignty is not granted—it is inherent. It is not earned—it is recognised.

It is the foundation upon which all authentic relationships, communities, and systems must be built. It is the source of true power—not over others, but within oneself.

Power, in its rightful form, is the ability to live in alignment with one’s values, to act with integrity, and to contribute meaningfully to the Common Cause and the Public Good.

This power does not reside in titles, wealth, or influence. It resides in the soul, mind, and spirit of every Person or Being.

In a society rooted in Authentic Governance, power is not concentrated—it is distributed.

It flows from the recognition that every individual holds equal value, and that no external difference—physical, cultural, intellectual, or emotional—can diminish the worth of one’s inner essence.

Thought remains the purest expression of freedom. It is the space where sovereignty begins.

To protect this freedom, we uphold the principle that no person may be punished for their thoughts, nor for expressing those thoughts publicly—so long as they do not intend harm or seek to compromise the sovereignty of others.

Support for Personal Sovereignty is a shared responsibility.

It is offered with care during infancy, childhood, and youth.

It is extended with compassion during times of incapacity.

It is recalibrated during imprisonment, where the right to act freely has been limited due to actions that harmed others or The Community.

Even then, the right to think remains untouched.

This is the essence of a society built on dignity, equality, and truth.

Morality and Ethics Are the Fruit of Freedom—Not of Oppression, Rules, or Laws

Lack breeds selfishness, because it turns survival into competition.

Even the perception of lack can distort behaviour and choices when individuals are unable to view their circumstances objectively.

In a society where everyone’s basic needs are guaranteed—so long as all who can contribute do—an environment naturally emerges that supports:

Personal development
Emotional and spiritual growth
A structure that allows society to function in the best possible way

Freedom from avoidable and unnecessary lack opens the door for people of all backgrounds and abilities to:

Reflect on who they are
Understand how they became who they are
Explore their roles and relationships in society
Contemplate the deeper meaning of their experiences

When individuals are financially and resourcefully independent, they gain the freedom to:

Discern right from wrong
Navigate the grey areas with empathy and awareness
Consider the impact and consequences of their actions on others

This freedom fosters self-awareness, which in turn nurtures a more thoughtful and authentic approach to:

Morality and ethics
Responsibility and obligation
Community and connection

True morality does not arise from control. It blossoms in the presence of freedom, security, and shared humanity.

Why People Work or Are Employed

The purpose of all work, employment, business, industry—and The Community itself—is to support, sustain, and enrich happy, healthy lives for everyone.

Work is not the purpose of life. It is a meaningful part of life—one that helps us meet our needs, contribute to others, and uphold the shared priorities of People, Community, and The Environment.

Work and employment are valued only insofar as they support a life that is happy, healthy, safe, and secure for all Members of The Community.

The Community recognises and celebrates the importance of every role, every trade, and every form of contribution.

No job is above another in moral worth.

The only distinction given within any profession is that reflected in its remuneration structure—a practical measure, not a measure of personal value.

The contribution of each individual is recognised solely in terms of its impact and benefit to The Community—and never beyond that.

Locality and the Reliance of Trust

Trust is not abstract—it is relational. It is built through presence, familiarity, and shared experience.

In Our Community, trust is earned through direct interaction, not distant authority.

We believe that those who hold influence must be visible, accessible, and accountable to the People they serve.

Digital tools may support communication and efficiency, but they must never replace the human connection required for genuine trust.

We reject the use of digital platforms as instruments of persuasion, manipulation, or control.

Local Living provides the healthiest foundation for truth, reliability, and mutual respect.

It is within local relationships that information is most trustworthy, decisions are most relevant, and accountability is most immediate.

Our Society thrives because we have chosen proximity over abstraction, and presence over projection.

Through our System of Authentic Governance, every decision that affects our lives—especially those tied to our Basic and Essential needs—is made by People we know, People we can speak to, and People we can trust.

This is how we ensure that governance remains human, honest, and grounded in reality.

Inheritance

In our culture, inheritance is not defined by the transfer of wealth.

We do not encourage the passing of financial assets between families—unless such a transfer serves The Public Good, such as the continuation of a business or property that benefits the wider Community.

Our System of Authentic Governance, rooted in the principles of People, Community, and The Environment, ensures that every Member of The Community is empowered to sustain themselves independently.

The greatest inheritance is not material. It is the gift of learning, the sharing of experience, and the freedom that comes from the ability to think freely and live in full awareness of one’s Personal Sovereignty.

This is the legacy we pass on:

Not possessions, but wisdom.
Not wealth, but empowerment.
Not control, but freedom.

Climate Change

The climate has changed, is changing, and will continue to change—regardless of human influence.

We accept this truth without denial or distraction. But we also recognise that the greatest threat to the Planet—and therefore to People, Community, and The Environment—was not climate change itself, but the system that accelerated it:

Moneyocracy.

It was humankind’s obsession with material wealth, driven by the relentless pursuit of profit and the unnecessary exploitation of non-replaceable natural resources, that pushed us toward crisis.

Resources were consumed not to meet genuine needs, but to satisfy manufactured wants.

This imbalance—between what we need and what we are told to desire—was the root of environmental degradation.

Our commitment now is clear:

To live responsibly.
To meet real needs.
To protect the Earth by rejecting systems that place profit above life.

Sustainable Living

Sustainable Living is practiced by every Member of The Community.

It is recognised as A Public Good—a shared responsibility and a cultural norm.

Every system we use, create, or maintain exists to serve the best interests of humanity, guided by our Three Core Principles:

People
Community
The Environment

Sustainable Living means using natural resources sparingly, and only when no viable alternatives exist.

It means growing, using, and sharing only what we need—not what we want.

All forms of private and social enterprise are carried out locally, within the Parish area.

We reject luxury consumerism and prohibit practices such as Planned Obsolescence.

We do not permit the unnecessary use of resources to support employment transfers, manufacturing, or food production when such practices serve private interests rather than the Public Good.

Instead, we encourage local manufacturing using naturally sustainable resources.

We Recycle, Reuse, and Repair as a way of life.

These are not just habits—they are Key Skills for Life.

Across all Goods and Services, we prioritise Basic Essentials—ensuring that what we produce and consume supports a Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Secure life for all.

Key Skills for Life

Key Skills for Life are recognised as A Public Good—essential abilities that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and uphold our shared principles of People, Community, and The Environment.

These skills are not optional. They are foundational to living a Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Secure life within Our Local Future.

They include:

Authentic Governance
Understanding and participating in fair, transparent, and community-driven decision-making processes.
Clothing Repair and Renewal
Maintaining, repairing, and extending the life of garments to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Critical Thinking
Questioning, analysing, and making informed, independent choices based on evidence and ethical awareness.
Democracy
Engaging in collective decision-making, civic responsibility, and upholding the principles of equality and participation.
Food Handling, Preparation, and Storage
Ensuring food safety, nutrition, and sustainability through proper handling, cooking, and storage practices.
Food Production
Growing and harvesting food responsibly, supporting local food systems and community resilience.
Good Online Communication
Using digital tools with clarity, respect, and purpose, reflecting real-world etiquette and community values.
Community Provision
Understanding how local services function and contribute to wellbeing and participating in their delivery.
Home Growing
Cultivating food and plants at home to support self-sufficiency and local food security.
The Impact and Consequences of Choice
Recognizing how personal and collective decisions affect others and the environment.
Our Role as a Member of The Community
Contributing meaningfully to shared life, respecting others, and upholding community values.
Personal Sovereignty
Living freely and responsibly, making choices that honour one’s own dignity and the rights of others.
The Power of Restraint
Choosing not to act when action serves only impulse or ego, practicing self-control for the greater good.
Recycle, Reuse, Repair
Extending the life of goods, minimising waste, and adopting sustainable consumption habits.
Self-Care
Maintaining physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing as a foundation for personal and community health.
Understanding Cause and Effect
Seeing the links between actions and outcomes and learning from experience.
Understanding Our Local Future
Knowing the systems and values that shape society, and how to contribute to a sustainable, people-centred future.
Understanding Self-Awareness
Recognizing one’s thoughts, emotions, and motivations to foster growth and empathy.
Using and Understanding AI
Engaging with technology ethically and effectively, ensuring it serves humanity and community needs.

These skills are taught, shared, and practiced across The Community. They are the tools of empowerment, resilience, and collective progress.

Homelessness and Supporting the ‘Left Behind’

Our Principles—People, Community, and The Environment—alongside our culture of Authentic Governance, have been developed to promote a genuinely people-centric way of life.

While The Local Economy & Governance System minimises environmentally harmful influences for all Members of The Community, we recognise that not everyone will feel able to participate in life in ways considered “normal” or within the expected framework.

We honour the undifferentiated value of every Person or Being—beyond material status, beyond circumstance.

We do not seek to “fix” those who cannot engage with societal structures in conventional ways, unless their actions pose a direct threat to, or have harmed, Members of The Community.

Homelessness is not a crime, and it is never treated as such.

We understand that homelessness may result from personal choice, or from life challenges that many hope to avoid.

Our only expectation of anyone experiencing homelessness is that they:

Respect the Personal Sovereignty of others
Treat Community Infrastructure and services with care and consideration

Businesses are encouraged to offer opportunities to those seeking a fresh start—without requiring them to be defined by past roles, qualifications, or histories, especially when they have exercised The Right to be Forgotten.

Each Community provides Homelessness Services, either directly or in collaboration with neighbouring Parishes.

These often include Homeless Pods—safe, dignified spaces for temporary shelter.

Our approach is simple and compassionate: We assume nothing, expect nothing beyond respect for our shared Principles, and view any voluntary engagement with Community offerings as a bonus, not a requirement.

Part 3: Beliefs

Personal Sovereignty, Freedom of Belief, and Freedom of Thought

Personal Sovereignty is inseparable from the Freedom of Belief and the Freedom of Thought.

Throughout history, many have failed to recognise how religions and belief systems have been used—often by elites and ruling classes—as tools of social control.

These systems have manipulated fear of the unknown to shape behaviour, often reinforcing hierarchies where those at the top claim a “special relationship” with what lies beyond life.
They present themselves as gatekeepers of truth—while discouraging independent thought.

As the world evolved and access to information expanded, belief systems that suppress freedom of thought began to collapse—or resorted to increasingly desperate tactics to maintain influence through fear and control.

Even Moneyocracy, the dominant ideology of the Old World, functioned as a belief system—one that demanded faith in wealth, status, and material power.

But the failures of these systems became clear: They harmed humanity, degraded the environment, and obstructed the natural learning that life itself offers.

As their relevance faded, these systems intensified efforts to control behaviour—seeking to suppress the very thing that threatened their power: Freedom of Thought.

This is the One True Freedom—the ability to think independently, to choose freely, and to act meaningfully.

It is how each of us makes sense of our existence and learns from the unique journey of our own life.

The governing classes of the Old World failed to honour this freedom.

They created conditions where countless people were denied the opportunity to explore the rich lessons that life, in all its diversity, has to offer.

In The Local Economy & Governance System, we restore and protect this freedom.

We honour the sovereignty of every mind, and we celebrate the power of thought as the foundation of a just, compassionate, and enlightened society.

Religion

Religion is a personal choice and belief.

It is accepted that each Person or Being holds a direct, exclusive relationship with God, a Higher Being, Spirit, the Universe, or another something identifiable by another name.

Any deviation from this relationship is a matter of personal choice—and no other Person, Group, or Member of The Community has the right to question or influence it, except within the acceptable bounds of parental care.

There is no Community or State Religion.

We maintain, champion, and defend a secular Community culture, which may be broadly aligned with Christian Values, but is not governed by any religious doctrine.

No Religion or Religious Practice may disrupt, influence, or dictate matters or policy within the Public Realm.

We do not accept that any Religion which uses fear, control, or subjugation to achieve its aims can be considered “peaceful.”

Personal Sovereignty is supreme. No system of belief may override it.

Any form of submissive behaviour to Religion or Religious Practice is considered an infringement of Personal Sovereignty— unless it is a clear and definable voluntary choice made by the individual.

No permanent contract or arrangement may bind any person to a Religion or Religious Practice involuntarily. Such obligations end immediately upon recognition.

No Religion-based law, regulation, or obligation may supersede the Community Governance Framework.

Spirituality

Spiritual and Religious direction is a personal choice for every Member of The Community. It is respected as a matter of Personal Sovereignty.

We encourage each individual to explore their own path to belief—through Self-Awareness, a Key Skill for Life, supported by Critical Thinking, also taught as a Key Skill for Life.

We recognise value in all belief systems, provided they honour the principle that Personal Sovereignty and our System of Authentic Governance are not mutually exclusive.

When respected, they complement one another.

Throughout history, religion and belief systems have often been misused as tools of control.

Spiritual pathways that promote independent thought and understanding have frequently been suppressed—erased from records, scriptures, and doctrines, with punishments ranging from ridicule to severe persecution.

Spiritual sciences and practices have been misrepresented as mere tools of divination or fortune-telling.

This distortion has been worsened by individuals who preyed on the vulnerable—abusing their knowledge or perceived skills for personal gain.

We reject these misuses.

Instead, we embrace spiritual exploration as a way to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build meaningful relationships.

By exploring belief with openness and integrity, we strengthen both Personal Sovereignty and The Community—creating a culture rooted in respect, awareness, and shared growth.

The Rejection of Narratives and Embracing Truth

We accept the use of narratives and storytelling only as metaphor or allegory—tools to encourage reflection and promote deeper understanding.

We do not use narratives to create, manipulate, misdirect, or replace truth.

In Our Community, every Member with access to news and information is trusted to think critically, to discern wisely, and to draw their own conclusions.

We do not obscure reality with “alternative truths.”

We do not distort facts to serve agendas.

We do not trade clarity for comfort.

Truth is not negotiable.

It is the foundation of Authentic Governance, and the cornerstone of a society built on trust, sovereignty, and respect.

Part 4: Our Lifestyle

Section A: Food

Food Groups

We recognise two distinct food groups:

Essential or Basic Foods – the foods we need
Luxury Foods – the foods we want

Essential or Basic Foods

Essential or Basic Foods are critical for a healthy and happy life and are recognised as A Public Good.

They must be:

Accessible
Affordable
Nutritious
Grown and produced locally
Processed, transported, and supplied as locally as possible
Cultivated using natural processes
Produced through sustainable, traditional, regenerative, rotational, and mixed farming methods
Free from insecticides, pesticides, and chemical fertilisers
Processed only through ‘traditional’ or ‘by hand’ methods
Free from additives, artificial preservatives, flavourings, or enhancements

The most recognisable trait of Essential or Basic Foods is their natural form—either as harvested or as minimally processed using traditional methods.

Community Responsibility

Every home must have adequate facilities for food preparation, storage, and cooking.
The safe handling, preparation, and cooking of Essential and Basic Foods is taught as a Key Skill for Life.
It is the shared responsibility of the entire Community to ensure that every Member has ongoing access to sufficient supplies of Essential and Basic Foods to meet their needs.

Luxury Foods

Luxury Foods are defined as all foods that cannot be categorised as Basic or Essential.

They include:

Processed foods
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs)
Synthesised foods
Any food that is not visibly identifiable with its original source or natural form

Luxury Foods may not be reclassified as Basic or Essential based on labelling, description, or advertising of any kind.

They are recognised as A Lifestyle Choice, not a necessity.

To protect the integrity of local food systems:

No Basic or Essential Foods, nor any ingredients derived from them, may be used in the production of Luxury Foods
This restriction applies unless there is a surplus—after all local provision and inter-Parish trade needs have been fully met

This ensures that nutritional priority remains with the Community, and that resources are used responsibly, ethically, and in alignment with our shared values.

Farming and Fishing

The supply of Basic, Essential Foods is as vital as the air we breathe and the water we drink.

It is an undeniable truth—long unspoken—that control over food supply is control over society itself.
This truth was exploited by the elites of the Old World, who used food systems to manipulate, dominate, and centralise power.

In The Local Economy & Governance System, we reject this model entirely.

We uphold a Local, Fully Transparent, and Circular Food Chain—one that ensures:

Control of Basic and Essential Foods remains in the hands of trusted, known members of the Community
Food supply is treated as A Public Good, not a commodity for profit or control
Farming and Fishing practices are rooted in sustainability, regeneration, and community accountability

This approach protects our sovereignty, strengthens our resilience, and ensures that food serves life—not power.

A Local Food Chain Is One That People Trust

The Local Food Chain is recognised as A Public Good—a vital part of life, community, and sustainability.

Within our system of Localised Economics and Authentic Governance, the Food Chain sits at the heart of The Community.

Food is as essential as the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Yet unlike those, meeting this Essential Basic Need requires daily effort, planning, and care.

We cannot afford to compromise trust in our food systems.

Our ability to live freely and lead happy, healthy, and productive lives depends on the quality and integrity of the food we consume.

To protect this trust:

All food is produced as locally as possible
Journey times from harvest to home are kept short
Processing is kept to a minimum, using traditional methods
Farmers and producers sell directly to Members of The Community through shops or delivery rounds
Local cooperatives, run as social businesses, help make Basic and Essential Foods accessible without unnecessary cost
Home growing is encouraged, and surplus food is shared through the Local Marketplace Exchange

Technology in food production is used only to enhance Food Safety and Good Working Practices.

We do not encourage large-scale machinery unless it clearly benefits the ecosystem of The Universal Parish.

Transparency is essential. It builds trust, and trust sustains the Local Food Chain.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in Home Growing at a minimum.

Food Production is recognised as a Key Skill for Life—a shared responsibility and a source of empowerment.

Food Production

Food Production is a cornerstone of Community wellbeing and is recognised as A Public Good.

All food growers, producers, processors, and suppliers are required to include Essential and Basic Foods within their business models.

The supply of food must always prioritise these foods for the benefit of The Community.

There are no ‘Specialist’ Luxury Food suppliers. Luxury Foods are not central to our food system and are only produced when surplus resources allow.

Food Production takes place in two primary forms:

Commercially – through Agricultural and Fisheries Businesses (Farms and Fishers) operating within the Parish area
Domestically – through Home Growing by individual households

All forms of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Home Growing that serve the priorities of People, Community, and The Environment are celebrated and protected as Public Goods.

Food Production is taught as a Key Skill for Life—empowering individuals to contribute to local resilience, sustainability, and health.

Food Advertising

Food Advertising is permitted only to raise awareness of:

Businesses,
Social Enterprises, and
Community Providers

…that offer Basic and Essential Foods, including those in pre-cooked or ready-to-eat forms.

These foods are recognised as A Public Good, and their promotion must serve the wellbeing of People, Community, and The Environment.

We do not accept profit-making as a justification for compromising the health, nutrition, or wellbeing of others.

Therefore:

Luxury Food Advertising is prohibited
Non-Essential Food Advertising is prohibited

Our food communication culture is built on truth, transparency, and responsibility—ensuring that what is promoted aligns with what sustains life.

Section B: Clothing

Clothing Libraries

We embrace the principles of Recycle, Reuse, and Repair as a responsible and essential part of daily life.

We reject throwaway culture—recognising it as both unnecessarily expensive and environmentally unsustainable.

Instead, we encourage the maximum use of all clothing and related items, extending their life and value.

Every Community maintains access to at least one Clothing Library, typically operated as a Social Business.

These libraries provide clothing for:

Special occasions
Community events
Life changes that may require access to items otherwise unaffordable

Clothing Libraries ensure dignity, accessibility, and sustainability—while reducing waste and promoting shared resources.

Clothing Repair is recognised as a Key Skill for Life and is taught as such, empowering individuals to care for and maintain their garments with confidence and creativity.

Wealth and the Accumulation of Property and Resources

In Our Local Future, wealth and property are not measures of status or power.

They exist solely to support the Basic and Essential needs of individuals and The Community.

No person may hold, possess, or own any form of wealth or property that does not serve:

Their own Basic and Essential needs, or
The operation of a business that contributes directly to meeting the Basic and Essential needs of The Community

These needs include the provision of Basic Essentials to one’s family and current dependents.

Wealth is not hoarded.

Resources are not stockpiled.

Ownership is not used to exclude or control.

Instead, we prioritise shared wellbeing, responsible stewardship, and community contribution—ensuring that all property and resources serve life, not lifestyle.

Section C: Health

Public Smoking and Vaping

Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all public places.

They are also prohibited in any location where another person may be involuntarily affected by smoke, vapour, or fumes of any kind.

While smoking and vaping are not banned outright, they are recognised as antisocial activities—discouraged due to their impact on others and the environment.

This policy protects Personal Sovereignty, promotes public health, and upholds the shared values of People, Community, and The Environment.

Social Care

Social Care is the collective support provided by The Community, through Community Provision, to any Person whose ability to fully exercise their Personal Sovereignty has been compromised for any reason.

We view Social Care as a natural support process—primarily delivered by individuals and families, with secondary support offered through structured Community services.

Social Care is not institutional. It is relational, compassionate, and rooted in the principles of People, Community, and The Environment.

It includes:

Assisted Living
Homelessness Support
Invalid Support
Nurseries & Crèches
Out-of-School Care
Prisons and Rehabilitation
Residential Care
Respite & Palliative Care

Social Care ensures that dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing are preserved—especially when life presents challenges that require collective care.

Section D: Charity

The Provision of Charity and Charitable Giving Is Public Service

Charity is an action. It is part of life. It is not limited to financial transactions or donations.

We recognise all charitable work that supports People, Community, and The Environment as a form of Community Provision—a shared responsibility and a public service.

In The Local Economy & Governance System, traditional charities of the kind known in the Old World exist only where a cause does not directly contribute to The Public Good.

These organisations operate solely through donations and volunteer time from outside the Community Contribution system.

They do not receive financial support from The Community.

Every Member of The Community contributes 10% of their working week—typically half a day—to Community Contributions.

Additional contributions of time or money may be offered voluntarily.

Any not-for-profit organisation that sells goods or services is classified and operated as a Social Business—ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with community values.

Charity, in its truest form, is service without expectation, support without condition, and care without hierarchy.

Section E: Education

The Best Education Opens the Door to Every Part of Life

In The Local Economy & Governance System, education is not a process—it is a foundation for life.

The Community holds both the obligation and the responsibility to equip every Member with the Key Skills for Life and Social Skills necessary to:

Function independently
Think critically and freely
Act with ethical and moral awareness, especially where their choices may impact others

The goal is to provide the tools, not the programme— to empower, not to prescribe.

We recognise that the most important lesson for every person is to learn about themselves and to develop in ways that are most effective and appropriate to their own journey.

Self-Awareness is the most vital tool. It enables individuals to fully exercise their Personal Sovereignty—the highest goal of education and the greatest benefit to The Community.

Therefore, we prioritise the ongoing development of Key Skills for Life and Social Skills above all forms of academic, experiential, or vocational training—which naturally flourish as a result of this approach.

Education is not about conformity. It is about capacity, conscience, and connection.

Our Education ‘System’

We recognise that everyone learns differently.

For children and young people, learning styles can be broadly understood as:

Taught or Academic
Practical or Experiential

In The Local Economy & Governance System, education is structured around three Priority Areas:

Academic Learning – focused on knowledge, literacy, numeracy, and intellectual development
Experiential Learning – rooted in hands-on practice, real-world engagement, and skill-building through doing
Social Learning – centred on relationships, emotional intelligence, communication, and community interaction

This balanced approach ensures that every learner is supported in developing the Key Skills for Life, Self-Awareness, and the ability to exercise Personal Sovereignty.

Education is not a one-size-fits-all system. It is a living framework designed to grow with the individual and serve the Community.

Academic Learning

Academic Learning is offered to those children and young people who are academically inclined and able to fully engage with this style of education.

The Community benefits most when academic learning is focused, purposeful, and aligned with individual strengths.

All levels of academic education are fully funded by The Community.

No educational establishment may accept payments, sponsorships, or influence from commercial businesses or governments outside our National Boundaries.

This ensures that education remains:

Free from external agendas
Rooted in local values
Dedicated to the development of Personal Sovereignty and Key Skills for Life

Academic Learning is not a privilege. It is a pathway—offered with integrity, sustained by trust, and guided by the needs of The Community.

Experiential or Vocational Learning

We do not expect every individual to follow a full academic programme simply for the sake of measurement or standardisation.

The Community thrives when it embraces a broad-based, practical, and experiential approach to learning—especially for children and young people who are:

Practically oriented, or
Less suited to abstract, academic styles of education

For these learners, we offer comprehensive 7-year apprenticeship programmes, beginning at the age of 14.

These programmes are designed to:

Build real-world skills
Foster independence and confidence
Develop Key Skills for Life through hands-on experience

Experiential Learning is not secondary—it is essential.

It honours diverse talents, supports meaningful contribution, and strengthens The Community through purposeful practice.

Social Learning

Social Learning is recognised as A Public Good—a vital part of personal development and community wellbeing.

It provides Members of The Community with the Key Skills for Life needed to:

Support their journey toward Personal Sovereignty
Sustain that sovereignty through ethical, relational, and practical understanding

Social Learning is guided by a flexible framework, not a rigid syllabus. It adapts to the needs of individuals and the wisdom of those who teach.

We actively encourage grandparents and elders to contribute during caregiving periods—sharing their knowledge, experience, and values directly with younger generations.

Beyond family, Social Learning is delivered through Community Contributions.

Members with lived experience in areas that benefit others and serve The Public Good are invited to:

Teach
Coach
Mentor

They may dedicate their Community Contribution time to this purpose, and may also offer additional time voluntarily.

Social Learning is not confined to classrooms. It is woven into daily life, relationships, and shared responsibility—empowering individuals and strengthening The Community.

Section F: Housing

The Housing Principles

Housing—and its provision for all—is recognised as A Public Good.

In The Local Economy & Governance System:

No person may own, let, or occupy more than one domestic dwelling
No private company or individual may profit, charge interest, or accumulate wealth from the ownership or letting of any private dwelling

This principle ensures that housing remains:

Accessible
Equitable
Free from exploitation

Homes are for living—not for leverage.

Housing is a right—not a commodity.

By protecting the integrity of domestic dwellings, we uphold the values of Personal Sovereignty, Community Wellbeing, and Environmental Responsibility.

Part 5: Governance

Flat Hierarchies and Natural Leadership

In the earliest human communities—simple, cooperative, and rooted in survival—collaboration was the foundation of life.

Before power was hoarded, before leadership became control, and before influence was passed down through exclusive groups, people worked together, and everyone contributed.

We believe in that same equilibrium.

There is a sweet spot within every community where:

Everyone works and contributes
Everyone has what they need
Leadership arises naturally, not through status or authority, but through service

True leadership is not selfish or controlling. It is selfless, offered for the benefit of all, without expectation of favour, privilege, or power.

In a flat hierarchy:

Roles are different, but not ranked
Contributions are valued, not compared
Leadership is a function, not a position

Those with natural leadership ability step forward—not to dominate, but to guide, support, and uplift—because that is what the moment, the role, and the community require.

This is leadership as it should be: Humble. Responsive. Rooted in shared purpose.

Exceptions to Flat Hierarchies

While the LEGS model is fundamentally built on flat hierarchies and natural leadership, there are practical situations where temporary or delegated decision-making is necessary. These exceptions do not undermine the principle of equality; rather, they ensure that the community’s needs are met efficiently and transparently.

Delegated Decision-Making:
In certain cases—such as mediation, urgent matters, or the operation of The Circumpunct—decisions may need to be made by a smaller group or an individual. This delegation is always temporary and specific to the task at hand.
Basis of Authority:
Any authority exercised in these situations is not derived from status or rank, but from explicit trust and consent granted by The Community. Those entrusted with decision-making act solely as facilitators or representatives, and remain fully accountable to the community.
System of Deference:
When a system of deference is required (for example, inviting an external expert or mediator), it is implemented openly, with the understanding that the ultimate authority remains with The Community. All decisions made under such arrangements are subject to review and approval by the wider group.
Safeguards:
These exceptions are designed to prevent the emergence of permanent hierarchies. Decision-makers are rotated, their actions are transparent, and their mandate is limited in scope and duration.
Community Oversight:
At all times, the community retains the right to revoke delegated authority, request further consultation, or demand accountability for decisions made on its behalf.

In summary:
Exceptions to flat hierarchy exist only to serve the practical needs of the community, never to create lasting positions of power. All delegated decisions are rooted in trust, transparency, and the collective will of The Community.

Authentic Governance

Our system of Authentic Governance is built on a foundational principle: Every decision made by The Community is the right one for every Member, based on what is known to decision-makers at the time that decision is taken.

We operate a democratic system rooted in the belief that the most reliable and robust form of democracy is:

Local
Accessible
Transparent

Governance is not distant or abstract—it is immediate, personal, and accountable.

Decision-makers must be:

Accessible to every Member of The Community
Known to those they represent—not just by name, but through relationship and trust

Members of The Community are actively involved in the selection and management of Politicians, who are recognised as Community Representatives—not rulers, but facilitators of collective will.

The Authentic Governance System (TAGS) is recognised as A Public Good.

It exists to serve, not to control.

It reflects the values of Personal Sovereignty, Community Participation, and Ethical Leadership.

The Community Meeting (Universal Parish Council)

The Community Meeting, also known as the Universal Parish Council, is the foundation of Authentic Governance in Our Local Future.

Every Member of The Community is actively involved in the selection of candidates for election as Community Representatives to the Community Meeting.

To ensure fairness and diversity:

Political Parties and agenda-led groups are prohibited from participating in Community Governance
Each Community prepares an election list that includes at least 120% of the number of available Representative Seats

This guarantees choice, transparency, and representation rooted in local trust.

The Community Meeting is responsible for:

All Local Policy Decisions
Selecting representatives for the District and Regional Meetings
These bodies, in turn, select representatives for the National Meeting

Decisions at District, Regional, and National levels are deferred unless collective agreement confirms that broader coordination is appropriate.

This structure ensures that power remains local, governance remains transparent, and representation remains personal.

The Community Meeting is not just a council—it is a living expression of shared responsibility, ethical leadership, and democratic integrity.

The Circumpunct

The Circumpunct is the practical and symbolic foundation of Community Decision-Making in The Local Economy & Governance System.

At its core, it is a floor plan and a governance model:

Twelve Community Representatives sit in groups of three, forming a 360-degree circle around all speakers—excluding only the chair or facilitator.

This arrangement ensures that every voice is heard, every perspective is visible, and every decision is made in full view of The Community.

But The Circumpunct is more than a seating plan.

The Circumpunct is a metaphor for life, a tool of governance, and a symbol of unity in a People-centric, community-driven system.

Historically, the Circumpunct represents the direct relationship between all things and Source—whether one calls it God, a Higher Being, Spirit, the Universe, or another name.

It signifies a pure, unmediated connection, untouched by material desires or earthly influence.

To many, it reflects a state of oneness that transcends division and limitation.

Regardless of religious or spiritual belief, the Circumpunct embodies a model for life:

Two people, communicating openly and considering the impact of their actions on others—without restriction, prejudice, or fear—create a space of transparency, accountability, and shared understanding.

The Circumpunct is illustrated as a complete circle surrounding a visible central point.
This design reflects the relationship between:

One person and all people around them
The individual and The Community
The Community and the Environment that encapsulates them all

To speak from within The Circumpunct is to stand with clarity, confidence, and independence—free from the protection of group identity or the illusion of safety in numbers.

It is a space of truth, courage, and collective wisdom. A system for life and relationships that, by design, works in the best way it can for all involved.

As such, The Circumpunct is a Public Good.

The Circumpunct Model

Visual Structure:

Outer Circle:
Twelve Community Representatives are seated in groups of three, forming a complete circle. The circle symbolizes equality, transparency, and collective wisdom.
Central Point:
The centre of the circle is reserved for speakers—anyone making representation (Council Member, Community Member, or external party) stands here to address the group. This central position ensures the speaker is visible to all and must consider every perspective.
No Hierarchy:
There is no elevated seat, title, or permanent leadership role. Facilitation rotates among members, and all decisions are made in full view of the community.
Symbolic Meaning:
The Circumpunct represents unity, direct relationship, and open communication. It is both a practical governance tool and a metaphor for transparent, people-centric decision-making.

Governance: The Circumpunct as a Practical Tool for Genuine Democracy

The structures of traditional government—titles, positions, and systems of control—reflect the very problems we are leaving behind.

We reject all elements that have upheld top-down, hierarchical, patriarchal, and centralised governance.

Institutions such as Parliament, mayoralties, and regional authorities like County Councils, Unitary, and District-level bodies have become detached, aloof, and distant from the people and environments they were meant to serve.

Even Parish-level authorities have mirrored these flaws.

In The Local Economy & Governance System, decisions must be made by the people, for the people, on behalf of the people.

Practical Application: Local Legislature (Local Executive)

The Circumpunct provides the discussion floor and decision-making space for local governance.

Each locality appoints a council of 12 Community Representatives, seated in threes around four curved benches forming a perfect circle.

Key principles:

Representatives are elected by all Members of The Community
No political parties are involved
Selection is based on merit, suitability, and experience
There is no hierarchy, no titles, and no permanent leadership roles
Each member takes turns to facilitate from their usual seat

Anyone making representation—whether a Council Member, Community Member, or external party—must speak from the centre of The Circumpunct.

This requires them to:

Speak with awareness of all sides
Consider the visible and invisible impact of their words
Stand independently, without the comfort or protection of group alignment

Every member speaks and acts as one, working together to reach decisions that serve the best interests of the People, Community, and Environment they represent.

Practical Application: The Administration of Local Law

The Court System is not separate from Community Governance.

The Community is responsible for both the creation and application of law.

Criminal Matters

The Circumpunct serves as the local magistrates court.
Key principles:

Prosecutors, defendants, and their representatives must address the Community from within The Circumpunct
Prosecutions must be brought within 24 hours of arrest
Non-capital convictions or those witnessed by officers must be concluded or dismissed within that time

Civil Matters

A professional legal representative system exists, but with strict ethical boundaries:

No advertising, solicitation, or manipulation of personal memory or experience
No “no win, no fee” services
No inflated legal fees—costs must not exceed the value of any award made by The Circumpunct

The Circumpunct is not just a space. It is a living model of democracy, transparency, and ethical governance—designed to serve life, not power.

Conclusive Mediation

While mediation became popular—and even mandatory—in parts of the former legal system, it often failed to deliver the outcomes expected of a truly considerate, non-arbitrary, and community-rooted justice process.

In The Local Economy & Governance System, we recognise that:

Criminal acts, when proven beyond doubt, require community-agreed responses applied with equity
But in all other matters involving relationships between people, resolution is always possible when approached objectively, impartially, and with a commitment to truth over opinion

The Circumpunct serves as a space for Conclusive Mediation—a structured, transparent process for resolving disputes of all kinds.

Mediation Process

A three-member panel of Community Representatives hears evidence from both parties
Each party presents their evidence, shares their experience, and explains the outcomes as they witnessed them
Parties are invited to reach a mutually agreeable resolution, which remains voluntary unless one party refuses to continue

If a party refuses to proceed—perhaps due to firm belief in their position—the panel will issue a binding decision, based on:

The facts presented
The impact on all parties involved

Key Principles

Outcomes must be based on fact, not opinion, emotion, or circumstance
Failure to disclose relevant evidence is a criminal act
Time allocation for mediation is determined by key factors submitted with the case

Conclusive Mediation is not just a process—it is a community commitment to resolution, truth, and justice without hierarchy or manipulation.

Legal Representation

Legal representation is permitted only on an equitable basis
If one party chooses a level of representation the other cannot afford, they must fund equivalent representation for the other party
The Circumpunct will appoint this representative to ensure fairness

The Universal Parish (Uniparish)

The People we know, the Community in which we live and work, and the Environment that surrounds us are the foundation of our existence.

They are the only things we can truly trust and rely upon.

Our society is built upon a structural unit and ecosystem model known as the Universal Parish, or Uniparish.

The name draws inspiration from the Old-World UK Parish—once the most localised tier of government within a top-down, hierarchical system.

In contrast, the Universal Parish is the central structure of:

Society
Business
Community
Governance

Within our System of Authentic Governance, all other structures—whether governmental, commercial, or public service—are subservient to The Community itself.

Only Social Business models may operate across borders, ensuring that:

No external interest overrides the needs of The Community
Collaboration between Communities is always prioritised over profit

The Universal Parish is designed to be as self-contained as possible.

Business interaction between areas is limited strictly to meeting Basic and Essential Needs that cannot be fulfilled within the Uniparish itself.

This model ensures that governance, economy, and community life remain local, ethical, and responsive—always serving the people, never dominating them.

The Structure of Our Society

We reject hierarchy as the foundation of societal organisation—whether in civic governance, business, or any other domain.

We believe that leadership cannot be guaranteed by formal roles or titles, whether publicly appointed or privately assigned.

True leadership arises from experience, wisdom, and community trust—not from status or position.

Our society is built on a level, egalitarian framework, where:

All contributions are valued equally
Natural leadership is encouraged
Respect is earned through ability, not elevation

Leadership is not about being above others. It is about serving alongside, guiding with humility, and contributing without expectation of privilege.

While basic hierarchies may be necessary in rare circumstances, they are the exception, not the rule.

We prioritise:

Collaboration over control
Merit over mandate
Community over command

This structure ensures that our society remains inclusive, adaptive, and rooted in shared purpose.

The Structure of Local Areas

Our entire societal model is decentralised by design. At its heart lies a single, powerful principle: Locality.

Locality is the foundation of:

Good lives
Happy and healthy living
A system for life that places People, Community, and The Environment at the centre

By building around Locality, we ensure that every decision, service, and structure is:

Fair
Balanced
Just
Responsive to local needs and realities

Local Areas are not administrative zones—they are living ecosystems of mutual care, shared responsibility, and sustainable practice.

This structure empowers communities to thrive from the ground up, not the top down.

International Collaboration

We all share a common interest in the future of Humanity, the World, and the Environment that sustains us today.

If cared for and respected, this shared environment will continue to provide for The Local Economy & Governance System and Everyone’s Tomorrow.

Collaboration across communities and borders is essential to achieving outcomes that serve the needs of every Community—from the Parish level upward.

Importantly, such collaboration does not require the surrender of political or decision-making power.

In The Local Economy & Governance System:

World affairs are the concern of all Members of The Community
These matters are discussed openly as part of Community Meeting business
We reject all objectives that seek to centralise power and control
We oppose any system designed to accumulate wealth or create unfair advantage for certain communities or nation states over others

International Collaboration must be rooted in:

Equity
Transparency
Mutual respect
Shared stewardship of the planet

Global cooperation is not about dominance—it is about shared responsibility, local empowerment, and collective care.

Community Provision

What was once known as The Public Sector and Public Services is now redefined as Community Provision.

Community Provision exists to:

Create and maintain the environment and services essential to a culture built around People, Community, and The Environment
Provide support that meets collective responsibilities and addresses needs beyond individual capacity, especially during times when individuals may be unable to meet their basic and essential needs alone

This system is designed to be:

Lean and efficient, with only a minimal number of Community Members employed in full- or part-time roles
Focused on key positions deemed essential for continuity and stability

The majority of roles are fulfilled through Community Contributions—voluntary service offered by Members of The Community as part of their shared commitment to collective wellbeing.

Community Provision spans:

Local Government administration and technical functions
Health and Social Care services
Former roles of NGOs and Charities, now integrated into a unified, community-led framework

This model ensures that services are:

Locally accountable
Ethically grounded
Responsive to real needs, not institutional agendas

Community Provision is not a sector—it is a shared system of care, built on trust, responsibility, and collaboration.

Community Contributions: How We Directly Support Society

As Members of The Community, we accept shared responsibility for the upkeep, maintenance, and development of the infrastructure, services, and public resources we all rely on throughout our lives.

This shared responsibility is fulfilled through Community Contributions—a system of active participation in the delivery of Local Public Services and Charity Provision.

Key Principles

Every working Member of The Community contributes the equivalent of 10% of their working week
Contributions may be made directly to Community Provision, including public services, civic administration, or charitable support
This system replaces traditional public sector staffing with a community-led workforce, ensuring services are locally accountable and ethically grounded

Benefits and Opportunities

Community Contributions form the majority of the public sector and civic workforce
Members can request roles aligned with their interests to gain experience and explore career paths
Roles are otherwise allocated based on skills and experience, ensuring each contribution is of maximum benefit to the whole community

Community Contributions are not just a duty—they are a privilege, a pathway to growth, and a foundation for collective wellbeing.

Creating and Maintaining Public Policy

In The Local Economy & Governance System, the primary responsibility for all Public Policy rests with each Community Meeting or Uniparish Council.

All elements of governance—including:

Laws
Regulations
Legislative frameworks
And every key decision that sustains our System of Authentic Governance

—are generated at the Community Level.

Public Policy is not imposed from above. It is developed at the grassroots, and its impact flows upward, not downward—reversing the top-down model of the Old World.

This approach ensures that:

Decisions are made by those who live with their consequences
Public Representatives and Decision Makers are deeply connected to the people they serve
Every policy is shaped by a clear understanding of its implications, real-world impact, and ethical responsibility

Authentic Governance is not abstract. It is local, lived, and accountable—rooted in the wisdom and experience of The Community itself.

Money Is a Medium of Exchange—And Nothing More

In The Local Economy & Governance System, Money, Cryptocurrencies, Promissory Notes, and all forms of recognisable monetary transfer are understood solely as Mediums of Exchange.

They exist to facilitate the fair transfer of value—not to accumulate power, profit, or control.

Core Principles

Mediums of Exchange have no intrinsic value
They cannot be traded, sold, tokenised, or subdivided into any further form—regardless of mutual agreement between parties
They must not be bundled into any financial package, instrument, or device designed for speculative or profit-driven use

This principle ensures that:

Wealth cannot be abstracted or manipulated
Value remains grounded in real contribution and need
Economic systems serve people and communities, not markets or institutions

Money is not a commodity. It is a tool of fairness, not a mechanism of exploitation.

The Rules of Money

Within The Local Economy & Governance System, the concept of money as it once existed in the Old World no longer applies.

In the neoliberal, top-down, hierarchical, patriarchal system, money had no intrinsic reality—it was sustained only by collective belief and systemic illusion.

In The Local Economy System, we redefine our relationship with money through a clear and ethical framework that ensures money serves people, not the other way around.

Foundational Principles

Money is a medium of exchange
Money has no intrinsic value
The exchange value of money is set by The Circumpact
Money cannot be traded as a commodity or ‘thing’ in its own right
The holding of money cannot attract interest
Speculation or gambling on the value of money is prohibited

Lending and Transactions

Loans may only be made:
- Without charge, or
- With a fixed fee agreed upon by lender and borrower, payable in instalments or in full
No person may carry more than one loan at any time
All loans—community or private—must be registered with The Circumpact
Loan defaults are reviewed by The Circumpact

Payment Standards

Salary payments must be settled by the last working day of each month
Commercial transactions must be settled by the 15th of the following month

This framework restores balance, transparency, and trust to the flow of value in society.
It ensures that money remains a tool of fairness, not a mechanism of control or exploitation.

Our Tax System

In Our Local Future, taxation is redefined to reflect fairness, responsibility, and service to the Public Good.

We do not tax productivity, effort, or success when those contributions directly benefit the community.

Instead, taxation is applied to areas of excess, privilege, and unearned advantage.

What We Tax

Luxury goods and services
Property and standing wealth
Unearned wealth accumulation
Rental earnings
Benefits derived from access to Community Assets, Infrastructure, and Resources

Flat Tax Structure

We implement a Flat Tax system
The Flat Tax rate is 10%
It is calculated from:
- The value of existing assets
- The value of luxury goods and services at point of sale
Community Meetings place a charge levy on the use or benefit of shared community resources

Key Principles

No tax reductions are permitted as incentives for any purpose
The system is designed to be transparent, equitable, and resistant to manipulation

This tax model ensures that wealth serves the community, not the individual. It reinforces a system where contribution is rewarded, and privilege is balanced by responsibility.

The Role of AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Work is an essential part of a good, happy, healthy, safe, and secure life.

A meaningful life cannot exist without purposeful work.

The role of AI and technology is to enhance life—not replace it.

In the Old World, the speed and complexity of AI systems led to the misguided belief that AI had become sentient.

This illusion was deliberately used to instil fear, manipulate perception, and obscure the truth: AI is not conscious—it simply processes vast amounts of historical data.

Safeguards and Ethical Use

All AI-enabled technology—especially those connected to the Internet, Cloud, or any external system—must include a locally operable dead man switch.

This ensures that control remains in human hands, without remote interference.

For systems supporting the provision of Basic Essentials to People, The Community, or The Environment, a fully functional parallel system must be in place.
This system must:

Operate without AI
Function offline, without external connection
Be ready to seamlessly take over at any moment—“at the flick of a switch”

Prioritising Human-Centric Systems

Cost is not a valid consideration when it comes to essential services
Non-digital, human-oriented systems must always be prioritised
The rejection of digital technology, in favour of human-led processes, is the only acceptable form of cost-saving in the provision of Basic Essential Foods, Goods, and Services

This framework ensures that technology remains a tool of service, not a substitute for humanity.

The Right to Be Forgotten

The Right to Be Forgotten offers every person the opportunity to walk away from their existing life and begin anew—with all records cleared, a new name and identity, and a fresh start.

To exercise this right means:

Leaving everything behind
Starting again in a new place, with no ties or contact to anyone or anything from one’s former life

This is not a casual choice. It is regarded by The Community as an irreversible restart, equivalent to the administrative and procedural finality of death.

Upon exercising this right, the individual must permanently surrender:

All wealth and property
All academic qualifications
All legal and social identity from their previous life

Key Principle

Every person may exercise The Right to Be Forgotten once in their lifetime

This right exists to honour the profound human need for renewal, freedom, and reinvention—while ensuring that the process is fair, final, and ethically grounded.

Part 6: Business & Economy

People Are the Value in The Local Economy & Governance System

In The Local Economy & Governance System, people—not capital—are the foundation of economic value.

The total amount of active money—whether in physical coinage or digital form—can only be determined and adjusted by The Community itself, through either:

The Circumpunct, or
The Local Market Exchange

Core Principles

The total value of money in circulation is directly proportional to the number of people within The Community at any given time
This value reflects each person’s capacity to contribute to the Local Circular Economic Model within the Universal Parish system

Levels of Economic Contribution

Each Member of The Community is recognised according to their current stage of life and contribution:

Children (Non-working age)
Young People in Training
Adults
Adults (Non-working)

When Value Adjustments Occur

The value attributed to each Member of The Community is adjusted only when:

A person enters or exits the community (birth, death, moving in, or moving out)
A person’s Level of Economic Contribution changes

This model ensures that economic value is human-centred, locally accountable, and rooted in participation, not speculation.

The Local Economy Model

In The Local Economy & Governance System, we operate a Local Circular Economic Model—a system designed to sustain life, community, and environment through localised production, ethical governance, and shared responsibility.

Core Elements

Creating and maintaining a richly rewarding life for all Members of The Community by ensuring everything essential to a happy, healthy, safe, and secure life is available within the local area.
The local economy is designed so that all basic needs—food, housing, healthcare, transport, clothing, communication, and social participation—can be met locally, supporting independence and wellbeing.
Fostering a culture of mutual respect, where every Member understands and appreciates the value of each person’s role.
All contributions are valued equally, and the community recognizes the importance of every role, trade, and form of service in sustaining collective wellbeing.
Operating under a system of authentic governance, rooted in transparency and trust.
Governance is local, democratic, and participatory, with decision-makers accessible and accountable to the community, ensuring policies reflect real needs and lived experience.
Ensuring control and decision-making remain in the hands of public representatives who are accessible and accountable.
Community representatives are selected based on merit and service, not status, and all decisions are made openly, with direct involvement from community members.
Keeping access to basic essential goods and services open, secure, and equitable for all.
Essential goods and services are guaranteed for every member, with systems in place to prevent exclusion, exploitation, or scarcity.
Sourcing raw materials locally, within the Parish or as nearby as possible.
Local supply chains are prioritised to minimize external dependencies, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen community resilience.
Minimizing transport use to reduce environmental impact and strengthen local supply chains.
Transport is provided for genuine need, with a focus on walking, cycling, and shared mobility, reducing unnecessary journeys and supporting sustainability.
Using the fewest input points in every part of the supply chain to maintain simplicity and resilience.
Processes are streamlined to avoid complexity, waste, and vulnerability, ensuring the local economy remains robust and adaptable.
Applying technology only where it improves working conditions and output.
Technology is used to enhance safety, efficiency, and wellbeing, but never to replace meaningful work or human agency.
Rejecting technology that replaces jobs or performs tasks that a Member of The Community can carry out.
Human-led processes are prioritised, and mechanization is only used when necessary, preserving employment and community engagement.
Viewing jobs and occupations as a tool for life, not the purpose of life. Work is valued as a means to support happy, healthy living, not as an end in itself; the focus is on meeting need and contributing to the Public Good.

This model ensures that economic activity is human-centred, environmentally responsible, and community-driven—a system where value circulates locally, and everyone benefits.

The Local Market Exchange

In Our Local Future, we recognise that the true purpose of money and currency is to serve as a Medium of Exchange—nothing more.

Within our system, it is equally normal and encouraged to trade goods and services directly through bartering, especially when:

The use of money is unnecessary, or
It would inflate costs without adding value

Principles of Fair Trade

The concept of Fair Trade is literal:

We commit to trading as fairly, ethically, and considerately as possible—always guided by our shared priorities of:

People
Community
The Environment

Structure and Function

Each District or Parish has its own Local Market Exchange
These are physical marketplaces, centrally located and accessible to all
Each Exchange also offers an offline and online presence, but core trading is always conducted in person
No trading software or AI is permitted in the operation of Local Market Exchanges

Modes of Exchange

Local Market Exchanges facilitate:

Money for goods/services
Goods/services for goods/services
Goods/services for money

They also serve as conversion systems, ensuring flexibility and fairness in all transactions.

Governance and Regulation

A minimum value system for all Basic and Essential Goods and Services is set and regularly revised by the Community Meeting
Price manipulation—any attempt to raise or lower the value of essentials—is strictly prohibited
All Basic and Essential Goods not sold by licensed local small businesses or services must be traded through the Local Market Exchange

This model ensures that trade remains transparent, community-driven, and resilient, with value circulating locally and equitably.

Locality Economics

We practice Locality Economics within the framework of the Universal Parish Principle.

Each Parish or Area functions as its own Local Circular Economy, designed to produce and supply all Foods, Goods, and Services essential for Members of The Community to live independent, self-sustaining lives.

Key Principles

The Universal Parish prioritises local production of all Basic and Essential needs
When certain essentials cannot be produced locally, they are imported from other Communities where those items are in excess
These exchanges are conducted primarily through barter or trade, using our own excesses
Money or financial transactions are used only when direct exchange is not possible

Economic Ethics

All Communities are expected to maintain a neutral balance sheet, ensuring fairness, sustainability, and reciprocity
Life itself is our economic model—not profit, not growth, but wellbeing
Economics is viewed as a function or side-effect of a system that prioritises:
- People
- Community
- The Environment

This model ensures that economic activity remains grounded in human values, local resilience, and shared stewardship.

We Have a Basic Living Standard for Everyone

In the Old World, an unwritten yet deliberately engineered cultural norm allowed some to earn without limit—at the direct expense of others’ basic needs.

This imbalance, driven by greed, created a system where:

Excessive wealth for a few meant increased costs for everyone else
Disproportionate earnings led to the accumulation of goods and control of services by those who wanted but did not need them
Need was displaced by want, making essentials inaccessible to those who depended on them most

The legitimisation of greed, which once sustained what was known as Wealth Inequality, is now understood to be morally and ethically unacceptable.

A New Foundation: The Basic Living Standard

In The Local Economy & Governance System, we affirm that:

Every person must have the resources necessary to live a Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Secure life
These lives must be supported through independent or self-sufficient means
The ability of each Member of The Community to meet their own needs is everyone’s shared priority

To uphold this, we have created and maintain The Basic Living Standard—a foundational commitment that ensures:

The Local Circular Economy and Universal Parish Model work in harmony
Balance, fairness, and justice are accessible to all Members of The Community
Every individual can enjoy Personal Sovereignty as part of a life rooted in dignity and wellbeing

The Basic Living Standard (BLS)

The Basic Living Standard is the benchmark of The Local Economy & Governance System:

Every Member of The Community must earn enough from a week’s work to cover all costs necessary for a financially independent, self-sufficient life
This includes meeting all Basic and Essential needs
Without reliance on benefits, charity, or debt

This principle is called The Basic Living Standard—a Public Good that every civilised society must not only recognise, but actively maintain.

The Basic Living Standard Charter

The Basic Living Standard is a foundational guarantee that ensures every individual earning the lowest legal weekly wage can afford all essential costs of living—without falling into debt, relying on welfare, or turning to charity.

It defines the minimum threshold of financial independence, where core needs—such as food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transport, clothing, communication, and modest social participation—are fully covered by earned income alone. It also includes provision for savings, unexpected costs, and fair contributions to society.

This standard is not aspirational—it is structural. It affirms that full-time work at the lowest wage must equate to full dignity, autonomy, and security.

***

No food banks. No emergency loans. No skipped prescriptions or unpaid bills. Just a life that’s liveable, sustainable, and free from poverty.

Our Economy Focuses on People — Because People Are the Economy

In The Local Economy & Governance System, every Business and Organisation exists to:

Support,
Enhance, and
Maintain life for People, Community, and The Environment

Economic activity is not driven by profit—it is driven by purpose.

Foundational Commitments

All Businesses and Organisations must:

Prioritise the Basic Living Standard
Ensure the provision of Basic and Essential Foods, Goods, and Services
Guarantee that every person can access these essentials within the Universal Parish Model

Every Member of The Community is entitled to earn a weekly wage that enables them to:

Secure all Basic Essentials
Live independently, without reliance on:
- Welfare or benefits
- Charity
- Debt

Basic Essentials for Life — Defined as Public Goods

Basic and Essential Foods (typically in their original form on the plate)
Basic and Essential Clothing
Basic and Essential Hygiene Products
Basic and Essential Housing
Basic and Essential Utility Supply
Access to Basic and Essential Transport
Access to Basic and Essential Communication
Universal access to Basic and Essential Healthcare
Support during periods of unemployment or transition

These are not privileges—they are rights.

They are the foundation of dignity, and they are non-negotiable in a society built on fairness, sustainability, and shared wellbeing.

The Function of Private and Commercial Business

In The Local Economy & Governance System, the primary function of all businesses—whether private or commercial—is the betterment and maintenance of:

People
Community
The Environment

Businesses are not engines of profit. They are pillars of service, designed to support life, strengthen society, and protect the planet.

Ethical Principle

The pursuit of profit as a primary goal is considered morally and ethically incorrect
Business must be guided by purpose, not profit
Success is measured by impact, not accumulation

This principle ensures that economic activity remains human-centred, community-driven, and ethically grounded.

The Business Framework

In The Local Economy & Governance System, all businesses are designed to be local, community-serving, and ethically governed.

Structure and Scope

All businesses are Local
Businesses may operate branch systems across a Region or District if it benefits the community
No business may operate, license, or subcontract beyond a single Region
Businesses may partner within cooperatives across Regions to ensure the universal supply of Basic and Essential Goods and Services to all Districts and Parishes

Licensing and Oversight

Every business must hold a valid License to Operate, issued by the Community Meeting of the Parish where its premises are located
Internet businesses must operate under the same rules and standards as offline businesses
Social Media platforms are classified as online businesses and must comply accordingly

Business Types and Limitations

Privately owned businesses may only serve domestic or retail customers
Business-to-Business (B2B) services must be provided by Social Businesses
Privately owned businesses must remain within the size limits of what was formerly known as an SME (Small to Medium-Sized Enterprise)

Social Business Model

B2B services are delivered by Social Businesses, which operate as cooperatives
These cooperatives are collectively owned by the Parishes of a District
Parishes act as shareholders, sharing ownership and decision-making responsibility

This framework ensures that business activity remains community-rooted, transparent, and aligned with public good—supporting a system where economic power is distributed, and local needs come first.

Company Ownership & Shareholdings

In Our Local Future, company ownership is rooted in local participation, ethical stewardship, and fair distribution of value.

Ownership Principles

Companies may be Limited by Shares, but shares may only be held by individuals with a direct working interest in the company
No company or organisation that provides essential goods or services may be owned by:
- Non-residents, or
- Any person or entity with interests outside the Region where the business is based

Shareholding Ethics

Shares do not yield dividends
Company earnings—beyond:
- The Basic Living Standard Wage,
- Operational costs, and
- Reinvestment needs

-are fairly distributed among staff at the end of the calendar year, where surplus exists

This framework ensures that:

Ownership remains local and accountable
Wealth is shared equitably among contributors
Essential services are protected from external influence or exploitation

The Priorities of Commercial and Private Business

In The Local Economy & Governance System, the right to Personal Sovereignty allows each person to prioritise themselves in thought.

However, when it comes to business, the aim and purpose must always be the furtherance of The Public Good.

Ethical Business Priorities

Self-employed individuals are entitled to earn a fair premium for their effort, commitment, and risk
No business may exist solely for financial gain or profit-making
Every business must grow, manufacture, or supply Basic or Essential Goods or Services
Profit is viewed as a positive byproduct of:
- Satisfied customers
- Quality work
- Ethical service

Guiding Principles

All business actions and interactions must be conducted in alignment with:

The Public Good
The principles of:
- People
- Community
- The Environment

This framework ensures that business serves as a vehicle for wellbeing, not a mechanism for exploitation—where success is measured by contribution, not accumulation.

Social Business

Social Businesses are non-profit organisations operated with maximum efficiency for one purpose: The Public Good.

Core Functions

Social Businesses exist primarily where Basic and Essential Goods and Services are not provided by Private Businesses
They ensure that no community need goes unmet, especially in areas where profit-driven models are not viable or appropriate

Business-to-Business (B2B) Services

All B2B services must be delivered exclusively by Social Businesses
Commercial or privately owned businesses are not permitted to provide B2B services of any kind

This model ensures that critical infrastructure, supply chains, and inter-business support systems remain:

Publicly accountable
Ethically managed
Rooted in service, not profit

Social Businesses are the backbone of cooperative enterprise, ensuring that efficiency and equity go hand in hand.

Natural Resources

In The Local Economy & Governance System, all Natural Resources are held in stewardship by the community—they are not commodities, but Community Assets.

Stewardship and Ownership

All Natural Resources remain under community stewardship at all times
No Natural Resource that meets the Basic or Essential needs of Members of The Community may be:
- Privately or commercially owned
- Sold, let, or leased for rent

Access and Provision

Natural Resources that meet Basic and Essential needs must be provided at cost, with no profit margin
The provision of these resources is considered a Public Good
Services delivering these resources must be operated exclusively by Social Businesses
Privately owned companies or organisations are prohibited from providing such services at any time

This framework ensures that Natural Resources remain:

Equitably accessible
Ethically managed
Protected from exploitation

It reinforces the principle that life-sustaining resources belong to everyone, and must be governed by shared responsibility, not private interest.

News & Media

In The Local Economy & Governance System, the provision of News and Community Information is recognised as A Public Good—a vital service that supports transparency, connection, and community wellbeing.

Structure and Governance

News and Community Information is delivered through Social Businesses, not for profit but for The Public Good
Every Parish operates its own Local Media Platform, which prioritises:
- Local news from within the Parish
- Followed by District-level and then National-level coverage

Local Media Platforms are managed by:

Key employed staff, and
Community Contributors making their Community Contribution

Citizen Journalism & Participation

All Members of The Community are encouraged to contribute to media platforms each year
The success of Local Media Platforms is built around Citizen Journalism, ensuring that:
- Local voices are heard
- Stories are shared authentically
- Media reflects the lived experience of the community

Advertising & Transparency

Advertising on Local Media Platforms must be universal
It cannot be targeted at specific users or sub-groups
Any privately owned media business must:
- Make its interests and focus fully transparent to users
- Operate under the same ethical standards as all other commercial or privately owned businesses

This framework ensures that media remains inclusive, accountable, and community-driven—a tool for empowerment, not manipulation.

Social Media

In The Local economy & Governance System, social media is recognised as a Social Business, operated solely for The Public Good. It must remain free from private or commercial control.

Access and Identity

Access to social media is restricted to users aged 21 and above
Platforms are accessible only by subscription
While subscribers may use non-identifying usernames, every user must be verified and identifiable within the system

Advertising and Ethics

Advertising is universal—it must not be targeted at specific users or sub-groups
The use of selective targeting software, AI, or algorithms to:
- Restrict,
- Hide,
- Target,
- Focus, or
- Promote messages of any kind

…is strictly prohibited

This framework ensures that Social Media remains:

Transparent
Equitable
Free from manipulation
A space for authentic connection, community expression, and ethical communication

Online Communication

In The Local Economy & Governance System, we recognise that online interaction in the Old World led to significant behavioural shifts—many of which began to influence and distort offline life.

To restore balance and integrity, Online Communication, online relationships, and online behaviour must now:

Reflect real-world interaction
Uphold social etiquette
Align with cultural values and community norms

As A Key Skill for Life

Good Online Communication is not optional—it is considered a Key Skill for Life.
It is essential for:

Healthy relationships
Civic participation
Personal and professional integrity

This principle ensures that our digital spaces remain respectful, authentic, and aligned with the values we uphold in the physical world.

General Rules for the Use of AI

In The Local Economy & Governance System, the use of Artificial Intelligence is governed by strict ethical and practical principles to ensure that technology serves humanity, never replaces it.

Core Principles

No digital system may provide a function or service that cannot be replaced or performed by a person, with or without non-digital tools or assistive systems
All AI systems must be overridable through local human intervention, at any time

Age and Device Regulation

The use of smartphones, tablets, and hand-held technology is regulated
These devices may be used only for educational purposes by Members of The Community under the age of 21

AI in Learning and Creation

The use of AI is universally prohibited for:
- Training
- Education
- Online learning of any kind
All AI-generated digital creations must include identifiable digital watermarks

Supervision and Scope

AI management systems for machine technology may be used only under human supervision
AI may be used solely to enhance or improve human working practices
AI may not replace any human working role

Mechanisation and Decision-Making

Technical mechanisation may be used only when sufficient manpower is unavailable
AI may not be used to make any judgement or decision that could affect the quality of life of any person, group, or community

This framework ensures that AI remains a supportive tool, not a substitute for human agency, and that life decisions remain in human hands—guided by ethics, accountability, and community values.

Transport

In The Local Economy & Governance System, transport is recognised as a Public Good—a vital service that supports access to Basic and Essential needs.

Principles of Mobility

Transport is provided for necessity, not luxury
The primary method of personal transport is walking
This is secondarily supported by:
- Bicycles
- Battery-powered cycles
- Mobility carts (where appropriate)
- Public transport systems

Ethical Use of Transport

We do not encourage the use of any form of transport that is:

Unnecessary
Designed for excess
Or fails to meet Basic and Essential needs in a practical, comfortable, and safe manner

This approach ensures that mobility remains:

Sustainable
Accessible
Aligned with community values

Transport serves the needs of life, not the demands of status—reinforcing our commitment to People, Community, and The Environment.

Vehicle Lending Hubs

In The Local Economy & Governance System, we uphold a commitment to People, Community, and The Environment by discouraging excessive or unnecessary vehicle use and ownership.

Community-Based Mobility

Each Parish area operates a Community Lending Hub
These hubs provide shared access to:
- Loan cars
- Vans
- Battery-powered bikes

This system ensures that transport remains:

Purpose-driven
Efficient
Environmentally responsible

By prioritising shared mobility, we reduce environmental impact, promote resource equity, and support local resilience—making transport a tool for community wellbeing, not personal excess.

Working From Home

In The Local Economy & Governance System, Working From Home is not a right, but a conditional arrangement based on community needs and ethical workplace practice.

Social and Community Value

Workplace interaction is considered a positive and enriching environment
It fosters:
- Social skills
- Awareness of others
- Shared responsibility and collaboration

Local Business Integration

Most businesses are located close to residential areas as part of the Universal Parish System
It is considered normal and expected to attend the workplace when doing so serves:
- The Community’s best interest
- The Public Good

Conditions for Remote Work

For individuals working from home where on-site facilities exist,
- No expenses are payable by the employer
- Remote work is permitted only when it does not compromise community engagement, operational integrity, or ethical standards

This framework ensures that work remains a socially constructive activity, rooted in local presence, shared purpose, and community wellbeing.

Travel to Work

In The Local Economy & Governance System, the design of the Universal Parish System ensures that most businesses are located close to where people live, making workplaces easily accessible by:

Walking
Cycling
Battery-powered mobility
Short journeys via public transport

Commuting Ethics

It is not considered normal to commute to work using a car or motor vehicle
No person travels to a workplace outside their Parish area unless:
- They are specially trained or experienced in that role
- And have not yet had adequate time to relocate

Fairness in Remote Assignments

If a person is required to work outside their area on behalf of their employer:
- All travel time is counted as working time
- All accruable expenses are reimbursed by the employer
Employers may not include accruable expenses as part of any pay structure

This framework ensures that workplace access remains local, sustainable, and equitable, while protecting workers from the hidden costs of long-distance commuting.

LEGS has been posted here to read without charge. If you would like to support Adam, please do buy and download the FULL Book Version of The Local Economy & Governance System from Amazon at the link immediately below – at the current price of £2.99 in the UK (Please check the price before buying from outside of the UK). The version for Kindle includes the FAQs (available as a FREE PDF Download below) and the different summaries that have been produced for General Interest, Policy Makers and Local Leaders. Thank you for your support.

LEGS FAQS PDF_Vers1_20Nov25 Download

Discover a Blueprint for Fair, Sustainable Communities: Introducing the Local Economy & Governance System (LEGS)

Are you searching for a fresh vision of society—one that puts people, community, and the environment first? The new book, The Local Economy & Governance System offers a transformative framework for reimagining how we live, work, and govern together.

Why Read This Book?

A Timely Critique and Practical Blueprint: LEGS doesn’t just highlight what’s broken in today’s world—it lays out actionable steps for building a society where everyone’s essential needs are guaranteed, and collective wellbeing is the top priority.
People, Community, Environment: These three principles guide every aspect of the LEGS framework, from local governance and economic models to daily life and public policy.
Personal Sovereignty: LEGS places strong emphasis on empowering every individual to live freely, responsibly, and authentically. Personal Sovereignty is recognized as the foundation for dignity, ethical living, and genuine freedom within the community.
Authentic Governance: Say goodbye to distant, hierarchical leadership. LEGS champions local, democratic decision-making, where leadership is earned through service and accountability—not status.
Basic Living Standard for All: Imagine a world where full-time work at the lowest wage covers all core living costs—no more poverty, reliance on charity, or skipped essentials.
Community Contributions: Every working member gives back 10% of their week to support local services and charity, replacing traditional public sector staffing with a community-led workforce.
Ethical Business & Economy: Businesses exist to serve the public good, not profit. Social enterprises fill gaps where private business doesn’t meet essential needs, and wealth is distributed equitably among contributors.
Responsible Technology & AI: LEGS strictly regulates technology to ensure it serves humanity and never replaces human agency. All essential services have human-led, non-digital alternatives.

Who Should Read LEGS?

Community leaders, policymakers, and activists seeking practical models for local empowerment.
Anyone concerned about inequality, environmental sustainability, or the future of governance.
Readers interested in social innovation, ethical business, and resilient communities.

Get Involved

LEGS is more than a book—it’s an invitation to participate in shaping a fairer, more compassionate world. Start conversations, challenge old systems, and take practical steps in your own community. The journey to a better future begins with the choices we make and the values we uphold.

Discover LEGS PDF_Vers1_ 20Nov25 Download

The introduction of Price controls on foods, goods and services may become essential as this cost-of-living crisis develops. We would be fools to rule out rationing becoming necessary too

Yes, it does feel a bit like being the voice of doom and gloom as I write and produce videos about all the things that are going on and talk about what we can realistically expect as being likely to happen next.

The point is, that if someone like me can see what is happening and what is likely to happen next, the people we have elected as MPs have absolutely no excuse not to do so too.

In fact, our public representatives should be well ahead of the curve in both their horizon scanning and thinking than most.

Regrettably, they are not.

To be fair, the complexity of the growing problems and how each and every one of them interacts with the others is mind bogglingly scary to say the least.

Yet it is the culture of ‘let’s always take the easy option’ that exists, top to bottom within the British Political System, that has made the difficulties that are only just starting for us, significantly worse.

There are many people in this Country today who cannot afford to feed themselves, home themselves, clothe themselves, transport themselves or function normally in any way on the wages or income they have, without debt or benefits – or what is really a subsidy from the Government and therefore everyone else in some way.

Prices of the foods, goods and services that provide the basic essentials for life are spiraling out of control. Living at the standard we are experiencing even today, will soon become unaffordable for most.

Yet the complexities I mentioned above, all come back to just one thing: That the economic system we have today has been developed to benefit the self-interests of the few. That those driving it have continued to push prices up in the pursuit of ever-growing profits for as long as our stupid politicians have printed money and kept handing it out. When instead good politicians would have faced up to reality and dealt with the problems for wider society that have been caused by that same greedy few.

The Covid Pandemic has caused stupid politicians and greedy business and financial leaders to overplay their hand.

In fact, the inflationary spiral they have created together is now out of reach of any form of control they possess. Indeed, the only actions our weak-minded politicians have to address the issues are only serving to make the whole problem worse.

Events, or a coming chronology of them – which will have been caused by so many different profit-driven people with influence behaving in the same way, will combine to make basic food unaffordable where it is available. It will be absent from the supermarket and shop shelves where it would otherwise be not.

Food riots, as the system collapses and the old order makes way for a new one that will work for all will settle the mind of many. Especially the politicians that we have for the time that their waning power remains.

Greed, hoarding and any kind of self-driven prioritisation will have to go out of the window.

That will mean supermarket rationing as we experienced during the early Lockdowns. There will be an immediate need for Government to step in and fix prices along the entire food and essential goods supply chain, so that nobody can use this time of crisis to profit off the backs of us all.

Some of the more economically minded will baulk at the idea of any kind of price fixing, price regulation or price controls, because of its non-capitalist and non-market-friendly nature.

But the reality is that the epoch of easy money and making massive profits by exploiting the many to benefit the already bloated few, is now reaching its end.

A new system will emerge that will be fair to all. But it will not resemble anything that we’ve seen or experienced before.

As we walk the pathway to get there, it will be necessary to ensure that what we still have available – which will plenty for all of us without the influence or intervention of ongoing greed – will be made available fairly to all.

Money as we know it is likely to become only one of many different ways to make payment as change takes place. And it is therefore just as likely that rationing of the essentials that are available will also be necessary for everyone.

The times ahead may prove to be painful. But it’s the future which is possible for everyone once the change has been completed that we should look forward to.

The opportunities for a fair and just way of living, where everyone and everything matters are not just a pipe dream. They really exist and are there for us all.

After the pain, we have much happier times in store.

From Here to There Through Now | Full Text

The Local Economy & Governance System | Online Text

The Basic Living Standard Explained

Making sense of a system that isolates and divides – and building a fair, functional system that stands as a real alternative for everyone.

A Note from Adam

Introduction

SECTION 1 – The Real Problem: A System That Fragments Everything

SECTION 2 – How the System Turns Symptoms Into “Individual Problems”

SECTION 3 – Seeing the System from the Inside: My Lived Experience

SECTION 4 – Contemporary Evidence of Systemic Failure: My 2023 Research

SECTION 5 – The Realisation: The System Cannot Be Fixed From Within

SECTION 6 – The Journey Since February 2022: How Each Step Built the Foundations of LEGS

Levelling Level – Seeing the System Clearly for the First Time

The Basic Living Standard – Defining the First Universal Framework

From Here to There Through Now – Understanding the Transition

The Way of Awakened Politics for Good Government – Redefining Governance Itself

The Grassroots Manifesto – The Turning Point

A Community Route – The Practical Frameworks

The Revaluation – The Paradigm Shift (Unpublished but Foundational)

And then came LEGS – The Local Economy & Governance System

SECTION 7 – Introducing LEGS & the Basic Living Standard as the Systemic Alternative

The LEGS Paradigm Shift

The Basic Living Standard – The First Framework of a People‑First System

LEGS is not a policy.

SECTION 8 – The Future We Choose

The Work Ahead

Further Reading:

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Introduction

The Tipping Point: Why and How We Get LEGS

Identifying the Touchpaper of Transformation

Change Requires Choice and Action

Pain as the Catalyst for Change

What Might Trigger Transformation?

The Consequences of Inaction

1. Entrenchment of the Status Quo

2. The Rise of Dystopian Futures

3. The Illusion of Individualism and Isolation

4. Perpetuation of Social and Economic Pain

5. Missed Opportunities for Genuine Change

6. The Responsibility of Choice

7. The Need for Collective Action

Choosing Our Future – Together

Brief History and Evolution of LEGS

Glossary of Terms

Part 1: Where Things have gone Wrong for Society Today

Key Lessons from Today’s World

We Always Want More

What We Need Is Not What We Want

No Business Is More Important Than the Public Good

Real Progress Is Not Restricted to One Direction

Money: The Rigged Game with a Real-Life Cheat Code

Normality Cannot Be Dictated by Others

Distance Creates a Critical Weakness in Leadership

Doing the Right Thing Has Many Interpretations—But Only One Truth

The Moneyocracy

Money: A Belief System Fuelled by Greed

Poverty Is Not Real to Those Who Don’t Experience It

A cultural belief persisted:

The Consequences of Poverty

The Misuse of AI

Net Zero

The Food Supply: A Tool for Elite Wealth Creation and Societal Control

Part 2: Our Values

People, Community, The Environment

Locality Is Everything

The Public Good

The Public Goods of The Local Economy & Governance System (Condensed)

Our Expectation for Each Member of The Community

Our Priorities and Their Function

The Right Decisions Are Made in the Moment

Freedom

Personal Sovereignty and Power

Morality and Ethics Are the Fruit of Freedom—Not of Oppression, Rules, or Laws

Why People Work or Are Employed

Locality and the Reliance of Trust

Inheritance

Climate Change

Sustainable Living

Key Skills for Life

Homelessness and Supporting the ‘Left Behind’

Part 3: Beliefs

Personal Sovereignty, Freedom of Belief, and Freedom of Thought