Governments accross history have used different measures to fulfill several aspects of a government.
Explanation:
Some governments have been more libertarian, in the sense that they are smaller, levy less taxes, and provide less services, leaving the provision of most services to private entities in the free market.
Other governments have taken a more active role: levying higher taxes, imposing more regulations, and providing more services. These are governments in the social democratic tradition, for example.
