Final answer:
A mixed economy is characterized by a combination of private enterprise and public enterprise. Private enterprise is predominant in market economies, while public enterprise is a feature of command economies. Private contractors building courthouses demonstrate a mix of these two elements within a mixed economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A characteristic of a mixed economy includes features of both market and command economies. Specifically, a mixed economy features both private enterprise, where individual and businesses make their own economic decisions, and public enterprise, which refers to economic activities controlled by the state or government. While private businesses, competition for jobs, courthouse construction, and flashy ads are all activities that can occur in a mixed economy, the characteristic that most closely shows the blend of private and public sectors would be when private contractors build new courthouses since it involves both private entities and government control over a public good.
In a market economy, private enterprise dominates, meaning businesses and consumers make most of the decisions about production and distribution. In contrast, public enterprise is a feature of command economies, where the state makes most economic decisions. This understanding helps explain why mixed economies can have aspects of both private and public enterprising depending on the sector and the specific arrangements within that economy.