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Economic Systems

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Economic systems
There is 3 main types of economic systems, difference between them are how much Government controls economy.
• Free Market economy
• Command economy
• Mixed market economy

Free Market
Free market economy is also called Capitalism. Nearly all of the country's factors of production are owned privately. Basically, firms can sell anything they want. They effectively respond to the consumers, who are allowed to buy anything that is sold by the producers. Everyone in this system is motivated by pure self-interest. There is very high level of competition in this type of market and it has numerous buyers and sellers because there is no barriers to entry or exit. Firms are seeking to maximize their profits while consumers seek the greatest benefit for the lowest cost. Also workers are trying to maximize their wage relative to the cost of working. Individuals are free to make their own decisions like where to work or what to buy. Firms are free to choose what to produce and who to sell to. Prices are determined by supply and demand – prices may rise if there are shortages of a product or demand is high.
Problems with free market economy:
Some consumers are unwilling to pay for merit good or public goods i.e. health, education
Demerit goods are really cheap, they are goods which are over consumed such as alcohol or cigarettes.
Inequality of power in the market – the well off are in a position to pay high prices and so goods are produced to satisfy their needs.
Barriers restricting entry to the market place – producers could take over competitors e.g. monopoly, which can exploit the consumer through high prices
Producers are concerned with profit and may ignore social and ecological costs e.g. health, congestion, pollution.

Command economy
Command economy was mostly used in Communism country’s. It is centrally controlled economy there

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