What countries have a mixed economy?

Answer

The definition of mixed economy remains somewhat subjective. Both the US and Cuba have been refered to as mixed economies as all economies are to some extent or another mixed. Pure capitalism and pure communism have never and most likely can never exsist. The world's developed nations are the most common examples of mixed economies. The United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, etc... are all examples of mixed economies. Examples in the developing world include Mexico, Slovenia, South Africa, etc...

Another Answer

I would disagree with the first answer. There must be a way to distinguish between two different economic models.

It could (pobably should) be argued that most of the Western (perhaps the whole) world are still capitalist. Capitalism is characterised by the way resources are distributed, however, this does not necessarily mean the government cannot intervene. A mixed economy is a relatively new phenomina, and this term may be used - specifically by social democratic political parties - to settle economic debate between socialism and capitalism.

Yet Another Answer

The second answer is just incorrect. The United States does in fact have a mixed economy, and has for a long time. Welfare programs are a very small portion of the socialist aspects to the US's mixed economy. In fact, libraries, roads, schools, hospitals, the electricity grid, water systems, huge chunks of our financial and communication sectors, as well as programs like welfare and social security, and regulations on things like environmental impact, labor laws, consumer protections, antitrust laws, and even incorporation are all socialist aspects of the mixed economy of the United States. There are many more, too. Pure capitalism simply does not work, and that is why one has never successfully existed. That said, the first answer is generally the full truth.

The Response to 'Yet Another Answer'

(maybe take this to the discussion board...) Answer One and Three (are identical and I suggest A3 moves to discussion board) are suggesting all regulatory theory, and rather strangely Keynes, are communist in nature - which is just obscure.

Without going into the particulars, if a 'mixed economy' is actually a generic term describing an 'economy', then yes we are all in a mixed economy. This sort of logic would, however, render nearly every theory ever theorised meaningless, alongwith half the English Dictionary.

First answer by EggBandit. Last edit by EggBandit. Contributor trust: 41 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 72 [recommend question]