Many centrists feel that government serves as a check on excessive liberty. Libertarians are self-governors in both personal and economic matters. They believe government's only purpose is to protect people from coercion and violence. They value individual responsibility, and tolerate economic and social diversity. They want government to serve the disadvantaged in the name of fairness.
Leftists tolerate social diversity, but work for economic equality.
They want the government to defend the community from threats to its moral fiber. Authoritarians want government to advance society and individuals through expert central planning. They often doubt whether self-government is practical. The Self-Government Compass is adapted from an original idea by David Nolan.