Command Center Slides Command Center
Public Services in a Centralized World
Warm Up
Individual Profit vs. Public Service
Option A
Option B
Which one represents individual profit? Which represents a public service?
Case Study
The Power of Central Planning
CLIP: 6:46 - 7:37
Public Transport
Prioritizing access over profit to reduce pollution and traffic.
Universal Healthcare
Focusing on wellness for all citizens regardless of their income.
Embedded media
Command Economies: Central Planning and Its Impacts
Mission: Service Design
You are now the Central Planning Committee. Your town is moving to a Command Economy.
Transport
Healthcare
Education
Design a plan where profit doesn't matter. But watch out for the incentive problem!
Critical Warning
The Incentive Problem (8:27)
Without the "Profit Motive," how do you make sure people work hard and innovate?
The Question:
"Why would you push yourself to work extra hard if your job was secure and your paycheck was guaranteed?"
1
Efficiency Loss
2
Innovation Slowdown
3
Resource Waste
Extension
The Unicorn Paradox (7:38)
The government decides everyone needs Unicorns.
Is this example a realistic critique of central planning? Can a small group of leaders truly know what millions of people want?
REALISTIC CRITIQUE
EXAGGERATION
Planning Bureau Template Bureau of Central Planning
Public Service Design Template | Sector 7-9
ID Number: ___________ Date: ___________
Official Use Only
Committee Member 1
Committee Member 2
1. Choose Your Public Sector
The government has commanded that one of the following be socialized and run by the Bureau. Circle your choice:
Public Transport
Healthcare
Education
2. The No-Profit Design
How will this service be provided to citizens for "free" or at low cost? Who pays the workers?
Since profit doesn't matter, how do you decide where to build new facilities or routes? (e.g., By need, by population, by government decree?)
Identify one "Pro" for the citizens under this command-style plan:
3. The Incentive Problem
Reference 8:27 in the video. If your workers have guaranteed jobs and set salaries regardless of how well they perform, how will you prevent them from becoming "lazy" or inefficient?
Describe one specific Incentive Problem your service might face:
Command Solution: How will the government "command" efficiency without using money/profit as a motivator?
End of Official Document | Form CP-101-B
Service Standards Rubric Service Standards
Command Economy Design Project Rubric
Bureau-Approved
Evaluation Criteria
Use this rubric to ensure your Public Service Plan meets the requirements of the Planning Committee. You must demonstrate a clear understanding of central planning and its specific challenges.
Criteria Proficient (4) Developing (2-3) Emerging (1) Command Structure Clearly explains how the service is run without a profit motive. Government role is well-defined. Explains the service, but some elements still rely on market logic or profit. Little to no explanation of how the service differs from a market economy. Public Service Analysis Strong identification of a specific "Pro" (e.g., equity, access, environmental impact). Identifies a general benefit, but lacks detail on how it helps citizens. Benefit is missing or unrelated to the command system. Incentive Problem Accurately identifies a specific incentive problem and proposes a logical command-style solution. Identifies the incentive problem but the solution is vague or relies on money incentives. Incentive problem is misunderstood or not addressed. Presentation & Logic Ideas are organized, logical, and demonstrate deep thinking about economic trade-offs. Ideas are somewhat organized but have minor logical inconsistencies. Work is disorganized or difficult to follow.
Committee Reviewer Feedback
Reviewer Signature:
Total: /16
Policy Deliberation Cards Case #001
The Soviet Blueprint
"The former Soviet Union used a command economy for decades. While it industrialized rapidly, citizens often faced long lines for basic goods."
DISCUSSION:
Why does central planning work better for building "big things" (like tanks or factories) than for "small things" (like varied shoes)?
Case #002
Emergency Command
"During wars, even democratic nations might switch to a command economy to produce weapons quickly."
DISCUSSION:
Is efficiency more important than freedom during a national crisis? Why or why not?
Case #003
The Unicorn Paradox
"If the government commands everyone to have unicorns, but people actually want bicycles, the economy is out of sync."
DISCUSSION:
How can central planners 'know' what millions of people want without the feedback of supply and demand?
Case #004
Concentrated Power
"Concentrating power in a few leaders increases the risk of corruption and money disappearing into 'corrupt pockets.'"
DISCUSSION:
Is corruption more likely in a command economy or a market economy? Where is it harder to stop?
✂️ Cut along lines to separate cards for small group discussion ✂️
