A command economy is a system where the government or a central authority makes all economic decisions, including the allocation of resources, production, and pricing of goods and services. Here are a few historical and contemporary examples of countries or regions that have operated as command economies:
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Soviet Union: The Soviet Union had a centrally planned economy where the government controlled all means of production. The state developed Five-Year Plans that dictated what goods would be produced, how much would be produced, and at what prices.
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North Korea: North Korea continues to operate under a command economy, where the government controls all aspects of economic production and distribution. The state determines which industries will be prioritized and allocates resources accordingly.
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Cuba: Since the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Cuba has maintained a command economy with significant state control over production and distribution. Recently, there have been some reforms that allow for limited private enterprise, but the government still plays a dominant role.
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China (prior to reforms): Before the economic reforms initiated in the late 1970s, China had a command economy similar to that of the Soviet Union. The government directed all economic activities, and the allocation of resources was determined by central planning.
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Vietnam (prior to Doi Moi): Similar to China, Vietnam had a command economy after the Vietnam War until the Doi Moi reforms in the 1980s, which transitioned the economy towards a socialist-oriented market economy while still retaining substantial state control.
These examples illustrate various implementations of command economies, with varying degrees of state control and changes over time, particularly as some nations have moved towards market-oriented reforms.
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