TExES Social Studies Content Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The primary economic system in the United States is capitalism. This system is characterized by private ownership of the means of production, where individuals and businesses operate for profit with minimal government intervention. In a capitalist economy, the allocation of resources is determined by supply and demand in free markets. Businesses are incentivized to innovate and compete, which can lead to economic growth and consumer benefits.

Capitalism emphasizes individual entrepreneurship and the pursuit of personal economic interests. The U.S. economy allows for various roles in the economy, including consumers, producers, and investors, all functioning in a market environment that rewards efficiency and effectiveness.

Contrastingly, feudalism represents a socio-economic system based on land ownership and serfdom, primarily seen in medieval Europe, and is not relevant to modern U.S. practices. Communism involves state ownership and the planned economy, where the government controls all economic activity, which runs counter to the principles of capitalist markets. Socialism advocates for some degree of government control over essential services and industries, but it does not encompass the entire framework of the U.S. economic structure, which remains predominantly capitalist.