What is the main characteristic of a command economy?

A command economy is primarily characterized by government control over economic activities. In such an economic system, the government or central authority makes all significant decisions regarding the production and distribution of goods and services. This includes determining what products will be made, how much will be produced, and the prices at which they will be sold. The goal of a command economy is often to achieve specific societal goals, such as equality in wealth distribution or economic stability.

The other options highlight characteristics not typically associated with a command economy. For instance, decentralized decision-making reflects a system where choices are made at various levels of government or by private entities, which contradicts the structure of a command economy. Similarly, reliance on consumer preferences is indicative of a market economy, where supply and demand dictate production rather than governmental directives. Finally, limited government intervention aligns with free-market economies, where the government has a minimal role in economic decisions.