What are some examples of command economics in the United States?

Answer 1

A Command Economy is one in which all decisions are made by an individual or a small group. In the United States there are numerous ways that you could look at our economic system and see elites in control of aspects of production. While you could see the limited input that goes into designing automobiles or programing media output as a Command Economic system there is still enough competition and profit motive to characterize it as a Market Economic System. In the area of Military Production critics regularly argue that there is a high level of Elite control and protection from profit mechanisms (eg $50+ Hammers). On the other hand you have the example of the B-1 Bomber project which the Elites in the military and political realms pushed for but which failed due to popular opposition. Europeans often observe the high level of public expenditure that is found within the United States. They mistakenly believe that an elite controlled government controls various economic outcomes. It would be more accurate to view it from the other end. Market forces create demands upon elected officials who must respond to them in order to maintain their political power.