You are well on your way to becoming a great Super Student Agent. Check out this video about the changes in the economy of Cuba, a country with a communist economic system (also called a command planned economy). Get ready to answer the questions at the end of the video.

Answer the following question in your notes.

1. What are the changes that the barber industry is experiencing in Cuba?
2. Describe the new pilot program in Cuba that is taking place in barbershops and beauty salons.
3. Why is the success or failure of this program important to the new government in Cuba?
4. What are the advantages to the new program? What are the disadvantages to the new program?

The characteristics of a Communist Economic System are:

• All economic decisions are made by the government; centrally planned. The government owns most industries and factories.
• The government provides salaries and some basic needs for the people.
• The government decides: What to produce? How to produce it? Who to produce it for?
• All decisions are made for the purpose of promoting social goals; for the good of society.
• Most countries that have a Communist Economic System also have a communist government.
• Cuba is an example of a country with a Communist Economic System.

Source: Flag of Cuba, Central Intelligence Agency

Activity

Super Student Agent, your next mission is to determine the pros (the good stuff) and the cons (the not so good stuff) about communist economic systems.

Determine whether the following statements are pros or cons and move them under the appropriate column.