In basic economic theory, what is the primary goal of a command or centrally planned economy?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of the basic features and goals of a command economy, also called a centrally planned economy. In such a system the government or a central planning authority plays the dominant role in deciding what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce. Knowing how this differs from a market economy or a mixed economy is a core idea in introductory economics and Indian economy syllabi.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The type of economic system mentioned is a command or centrally planned economy.
• We assume the standard textbook definition used in basic economics courses.
• The options refer to equality, profit maximisation, mixed markets, government size, and free price setting.

Concept / Approach:
In a pure market economy, decisions are largely guided by prices, profit motives, and private ownership. In a command economy, the state owns or controls major resources and production units. The central authority aims to allocate resources in line with social priorities such as equality, full employment, and basic needs for all. The focus is less on individual profit and more on equitable distribution and planned growth. Therefore you should look for an option that emphasises equality and central control rather than free markets or minimal state intervention.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that in a command economy, the government prepares detailed plans for production and distribution.Step 2: The main justification for this system is to reduce inequalities of income and wealth and to provide social security.Step 3: Options that focus on profit maximisation, minimal government, or pure competition describe market based or capitalist systems, not command systems.Step 4: A mixed market system combines planning with markets and is different from a pure command structure.Step 5: The option that clearly expresses the central goal of equality through planning is the one describing greater economic equality within a society.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by remembering examples from economic history such as the former Soviet Union, where the state designed plans to promote industrialisation and provide basic goods at controlled prices, claiming to pursue equality and social justice. Even though outcomes were often different from intentions, the theoretical stated goal remained reduction of inequality rather than promotion of individual profit or consumer sovereignty.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maximising individual profit and consumer sovereignty with minimal state control is a feature of a free market or capitalist economy. Combining government regulation with markets describes a mixed economy, which India follows. Eliminating all taxes and spending or allowing only supply and demand to set prices are extreme market oriented ideas and do not match central planning logic.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse what actually happens in practice with the theoretical goal. While command economies often suffer from shortages and inefficiencies, their textbook objective is still to create a more equal society by controlling production and distribution. Examinations usually test this theoretical goal, not the real world failures. Always match the phrase command or centrally planned economy with objectives like equality, social welfare, and planned allocation of resources.

Final Answer:
The primary goal of a command or centrally planned economy is to create greater economic equality within a society through central planning.