The Difference between Market and Command

Economics

Market Economies1. Productive resources are owned and

controlled by individuals in the economy.2. Decisions about how resources are to be

used are made by numerous individual buyers and sellers in markets.

3. Individuals are motivated by their own self-interest.

Command Economies1. Except for human resources, most

productive resources are owned and controlled by the state or government.

2. Decisions about how resources are to be used are made by central planners of the government.

3. Central planners are motivated by the social goals they establish.

Mixed Economies1. Mixes parts of both traditional and

command economies.2. Economies may emphasize private

ownership and voluntary exchange.3. Government is still allowed to play an

important role in the economic lives of its citizens.

What is the United States’ Economy form?MIXED

Economic FreedomEconomic Freedom refers to such things as

the freedom for consumers to decide how to spend or save their incomes, for workers to change jobs or join unions, and for people to establish new businesses or close old ones.

Economic EfficiencyEconomic Efficiency refers to how well

productive resources are allocated with respect to the costs and benefits of using those resources.

Economic EquityEconomic Equity is about the people’s sense

of “fairness”. Economic actions and policies must be evaluated in terms of what people think is right and wrong.

Economic SecurityEconomic Security refers to protection

against economic risks, such as work injuries, unemployment, inflation, business failures, and poverty.

Economic GrowthEconomic Growth refers to increasing the

production of goods and services over time. The rate of economic growth is measured by changes in the level of real gross domestic product (GDP), and a target of 3-4% growth per year is generally considered to be a reasonable goal.