The compass measures self-government. Liberals value freedom of expression. Conservatives value free enterprise. Libertarians value both. Authoritarians are against both. .
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. Centrists favor selective government intervention and emphasize practical solutions to current problems.