Which of the following best describes the main difference between Lenin's New Economic Policy (NEP) and Stalin's command economy?

• A. Stalin's command economy encouraged foreign investment, whereas the NEP prohibited it.
• B. The NEP allowed some private ownership and market mechanisms, while Stalin's command economy relied on state ownership and central planning.
• C. Both the NEP and Stalin's command economy promoted complete privatization of all industries.
• D. The NEP focused on heavy industry, while Stalin's command economy emphasized agriculture.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of Lenin's New Economic Policy (NEP) and Stalin's command economy. The NEP was introduced in the early 1920s to revive the Soviet economy by allowing some private enterprise and market mechanisms after the Russian Civil War.
2. Step 2: Recognize that Stalin's command economy, implemented later, was characterized by state ownership of all means of production and central planning, eliminating private ownership and market forces.
3. Step 3: Compare the key features: NEP allowed limited private ownership and market activity, especially in small businesses and agriculture, while Stalin's system abolished these and focused on centralized control.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the given options by matching them with these characteristics. For example, the option stating that the NEP allowed some private ownership and market mechanisms, while Stalin's command economy relied on state ownership and central planning, aligns with historical facts.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the main difference lies in the degree of private ownership and market freedom allowed, with the NEP being more flexible and Stalin's economy being fully state-controlled.