Factors such as supply and demand by the sellers and buyers play an important role in an economy such as a free-market economy, but this sometimes leads to misbalance and gap between the rich and poor, considering there is more demand by the rich or certain products and they can afford them too and vice versa.
There are different types of economy, such as the command economy, to fix this gap by focusing on a social cause.
Key Takeaways
- In a free market economy, the government plays a minimal role, and individuals and businesses decide what to produce and how much to charge. In a command economy, the government controls all economic activity.
- In a free market economy, prices are determined by supply and demand, while in a command economy, prices are set by the government.
- In a free market economy, competition among businesses drives innovation and efficiency. In contrast, the government makes all decisions in a command economy, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of innovation.
Free Market Economy vs Command Economy
The difference between the free market economy and the command economy is the factors that control it. Whereas the seller and buyers control pricing and all other factors in a free market economy without any interference from the government, the command economy is fully controlled by the government without any interference of any other external factors.
In a Free Market economy, sellers and buyers play a major role in price determination and other major decisions such as investment and production. It is left alone from any government regulations.
This type of market targets earning and maximizing profit. This type doesn’t follow business ethics strictly.
Command Economy is where demand and supply don’t play any role, but the government or the central authority controls the economy. The decision regarding investment and production is taken by the government only.
This type of economy’s main aim or motive is social welfare and fulfilling macroeconomic objectives.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Free Market Economy | Command Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The Market where sellers and buyers determined the price. | The Market is fully controlled by the government. |
| Government Regulation | No or very less government regulation. | Fully regulated by the government. |
| Natural Resources | There are more misuses of natural resources. | No misuse of natural resources. |
| Development | This type encourages innovation and development. | This however does not encourage such development. |
| Ethics | Poor business ethics | High business ethics |
What is Free Market Economy?
A Free Market economy is where there is no involvement of the government, and all the prices are determined by the demand and supply, i.e., by the sellers and the buyers.
Features
- This is the economy that individuals or private companies privately own.
- There is the presence of financial institutions which help individuals by lending resources and later gain profits by charging interests.
- There is freedom and democracy of participation; anyone can produce how much they want in this type of economy.
Advantages
- Consumer demand and choice are given priority. Only goods are produced which are preferred by the consumers.
- The absence of government interference results in more innovations, and producers do not have to take permission before making any changes or developing by being more innovative.
- There is more competition in this economy, resulting in better quality in production.
- More demand ultimately results in higher profits for the suppliers or producers.
- Resources are allocated in a good manner, as producers bear any cost for the quality of raw materials.
Disadvantages
- There is a high chance of exploitation of humans and natural resources without government interference.
- Their main motive is profit earning which sometimes results in using inferior quality of raw materials to save costs/expenses.
What is Command Economy?
Command Economy is the type where the government determines and controls everything.
Features
- It is considered an economic plan set by the central authorities.
- Government plays a major role. Everything is under the control of the central authority, from allocating resources to deciding prices.
- Certain laws and amendments are followed to make sure resources are distributed equally.
- There is no domestic competition, but it is a monopoly of the government.
Advantages
- This leads to social development; quality of life is improved as the main focus is the betterment of society.
- In this type of economy, the least amount of natural resources is exploited as the government keeps a check on every activity.
- This leads to filling the gap between rich and poor and makes people come above the BPL.
- The government ensures there is no or less unemployment in this type of economy by providing them with employment.
Disadvantages
- Demand is not given preferences; hence production is done as decided by the government, not the consumer.
- There is no innovation development in this type of economy.
- Central authority takes more time to strategize things and make decisions, which further results in awful decision-making and terrible strategies.
Main Differences Between Free Market Economy and Command Economy
- Factors of demand and supply play a major role in deciding and determining the decisions in the Free Market economy, but only government plays a role in deciding and making decisions in a command economy.
- There is no or minimum government regulation included in the free market economy as the government regulations control the command economy are implied.
- The main motive of the free market economy is profit earning and maximizing, but the main motive of the Command Economy is the social and economic welfare of the country.
- Consumer preference plays an important role in the free market economy as it is given priority, but in a Command Economy, consumer preference is not taken into consideration. Every decision is taken by the government.
- Resources are not distributed equally, creating a gap between rich and poor in the free market economy, whereas resources are distributed equally, terminating any such gaps.
- There is a constant endeavor for more innovation development in the free market economy, but no such development and innovation take place in the command economy.
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/41653738
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/41653738
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-20863-0_8
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I appreciate the comparison table. I think it’s a great way to visually illustrate the differences between these two types of economies.
The explanation provided is clear and concise, making it easy to understand the complex topics. Great job!
The discussion has been quite enlightening on the role of government and the implications for societal welfare. It’s a nuanced exploration of economic ideologies.
I concur, Dale. The discourse effectively dissects the impact of government involvement, or lack thereof, in the economy, shedding light on the complexities of societal welfare.
It’s an engaging analysis of the varying economic systems and their ethical considerations. The content stimulates critical reflection on the interplay between economy and society.
The content here serves as a comprehensive introduction to this subject. It provides an excellent starting point for those interested in further researching the topic.
The article makes complex concepts accessible to a wider audience, rendering the subject matter more approachable.
I wholeheartedly agree. This article is a great foundation that encourages further exploration.
The advantages and disadvantages listed for both types of economies are quite compelling. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
I couldn’t agree more. The information provided is thought-provoking and offers valuable insights into the complexities of market economies.
Great analysis on the difference between free market economy and command economy. I think more examples could be used to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each.
The comment about the poor business ethics in the Free Market Economy is quite thought-provoking. It raises important ethical questions regarding economic practices.
Absolutely, Matthew. This discourse on business ethics illustrates the multifaceted nature of economic systems and their moral dimensions.
I believe the so-called advantages listed for the Free Market Economy are overlooking the negative social and environmental impacts produced by the unrestricted pursuit of individual interests.
I find the comparison between the Free Market Economy and Command Economy to be eye-opening. It’s interesting to see the stark differences and the impact they have on society.
The content provides an insightful analysis of these economic systems, highlighting their disparities with clarity and depth.
Indeed, it’s intriguing to weigh the pros and cons of each system and consider their implications from a macroeconomic perspective.
I totally agree with you Francesca. Although the content is informative, more real life examples could certainly make it much more relatable.
I believe the examples provided are sufficient to understand the concepts presented. I think quality is better than quantity.