The economic system in the United States is a capitalist economy. In a capitalist economy, the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit, and the prices of goods and services are determined by supply and demand in a competitive market. The government plays a regulatory role in the economy, but businesses and individuals are generally free to make their own economic decisions. The United States also has elements of a mixed economy, with some government intervention in areas such as infrastructure, education, and social welfare programs. The United States does not have a communist or socialist economy, nor is it primarily a military economy, although the military does play a significant role in the country's overall economy.