Factors of production and the method used to coordinate

Question

Who owns the factors of production and the method used to coordinate economic activity?

Answer 1

A. The market system:

1. There is private ownership of resources.

2. Markets and prices coordinate and direct economic activity.

3. Each participant acts in his or her own self-interest.

4. In pure capitalism the government plays a very limited role.

5. The government plays a generous role in the U.S. version of capitalism

B. Command economy, socialism or communism:

1. There is public (state) ownership of resources.

2. Economic activity is coordinated by central planning.