Final answer:
In a command economy, government policies are the largest factor influencing economic decisions, with government officials making key decisions about production and distribution, often prioritizing equity over efficiency. The correct answer is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that plays the largest role in economic decisions in a command economy is government policies. In such an economy, the state, represented by its government, exercises centralized control over all significant economic activities. Unlike in a market economy where decisions are made by individual consumers and firms, in a command economy, government officials dictate what to produce, how to produce it, and who is to receive the products and services. This involvement is consistent with economic systems where equity may be prioritized over efficiency, often leading to a more equitable distribution of resources but with potential trade-offs in terms of economic growth and efficiency.
Governments in command economies may establish five-year plans or specific quotas for production that businesses and individuals are required to follow, leaving little room for independent business strategies or cultural traditions to influence economic outcomes. Military goals may be a factor in certain instances, especially in wartime economies or those economies that prioritize military considerations; however, in general, government policies are the predominant force in setting the direction for the economy.