Question

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of a command economy

Answer 1

Long one hope this helps!

A command economy is one in which a centralized government controls the means of production. The government determines what is produced, how it is produced and how it is distributed. Private enterprise does not exist in a command economy. The government employs all workers and unilaterally determines their wages and job duties. There are advantages and disadvantages of command economy structures. Command economy advantages include low levels of inequality and unemployment and the common good replacing profit as the primary incentive of production. Command economy disadvantages include lack of competition and lack of efficiency.
A command economy is one in which a centralized government controls the means of production. The government determines what is produced, how it is produced and how it is distributed. Private enterprise does not exist in a command economy. The government employs all workers and unilaterally determines their wages and job duties. There are advantages and disadvantages of command economy structures. Command economy advantages include low levels of inequality and unemployment and the common good replacing profit as the primary incentive of production. Command economy disadvantages include lack of competition and lack of efficiency.
Unlike the invisible hand of the free market, which cannot be manipulated by a single company or individual, a command economy government can set wages and job openings to create an unemployment rate and wage distribution that it sees fit.
Whereas the motivation for profit drives most business decisions in a free market economy, it is a non-factor in a command economy. A command economy government, therefore, can tailor products and services to benefit the common good without regard to profits and losses. For example, most true command economy governments, such as Cuba, offer free, universal health care coverage to their citizens.
Command economies sit at a disadvantage as their inherent lack of competition hinders innovation and keeps prices from resting at an optimal level for consumers. Although those who favor government control criticize private firms that esteem profit above all else, it is undeniable that profit is a great motivator and drives innovation. For this reason, most advancements in medicine and technology have come from countries with free market economies, such as the United States and Japan.

Efficiency is also compromised when the government acts as a monolith, controlling every aspect of a country's economy. The nature of competition forces private companies in a free market economy to minimize red tape and keep operating and administrative costs to a minimum. If they get too bogged down with these expenses, they achieve lower profits or have to raise prices to meet expenses; ultimately, they are driven out of the market by competitors capable of operating more efficiently. Production in command economies is notoriously inefficient as the government feels no pressure from competitors or price-conscious consumers to cut costs or streamline operations.