A political system in which the state owns and controls the major means of production is known as?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which system has the state owning and controlling the major means of production (land, factories, mines, banks, and so on).

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Feudalism: Land is owned by lords or nobles, who grant it to vassals in exchange for loyalty and service. Ownership is not by the state.
• Socialism: The state (or the community as a whole) owns and controls the major means of production and distribution. The aim is to reduce inequality and distribute wealth more fairly.
• Fascism: An authoritarian, ultra-nationalist system with a dictatorial leader. It is defined by its political style, not mainly by who owns production.
• Capitalism: Individuals and private firms own the means of production and operate for profit, with little state control.

Step 3: Match the definition "State ownership and control of the major means of production" is the classic definition of socialism.

Step 4: Eliminate wrong options

• A is wrong because feudalism relies on landlords.
• C is wrong because fascism is about dictatorship and nationalism.
• D is wrong because capitalism is private ownership, the opposite of the description.

Answer: B. Socialism

Exam tip: Link keywords to systems:

• State owns → Socialism
• Private owns → Capitalism
• Lords own land → Feudalism
• Dictator and nationalism → Fascism