The Soviet Union exemplified a command economy from "summary" of Comparative Economic Systems by Richard L. Carson
The Soviet Union, as a prime example of a command economy, was characterized by central planning and state ownership of the means of production. In this system, economic decisions were made by the government rather than by market forces. The government determined what goods and services would be produced, how they would be produced, and for whom they would be produced. One of the key features of the Soviet command economy was the absence of private ownership of businesses. Instead, all enterprises were owned and operated by the state. This allowed the government to exert control over the production process and allocate resources according to its priorities. Central planning played a crucial role in the Soviet economy, with five-year plans outlining production targets and economic goals. These plans were created by government officials and implemented by state agencies. The goal was to achieve rapid industrialization and economic development through centralized decision-making. Prices in the Soviet economy were also set by the government rather than by the market. This meant that the prices of goods and services did not reflect supply and demand, but were instead determined by central planners. This led to inefficiencies and shortages, as prices did not accurately reflect the true cost of production. Another characteristic of the Soviet command economy was the lack of competition. With state ownership of businesses and central planning of production, there was no room for market competition. This led to lower levels of innovation and efficiency, as enterprises did not have the incentive to improve their products or processes.- The Soviet Union exemplified a command economy through its central planning, state ownership of businesses, government control of prices, and lack of competition. While this system allowed for rapid industrialization and economic development, it also led to inefficiencies, shortages, and a lack of innovation.
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