| an economy in which there are elements of both public and private enterprise. |
| mixed economy n. An economic system that allows for the simultaneous operation of publicly and privately owned enterprises. |
An economy that combines elements of capitalism and socialism, mixing some individual ownership and regulation. Some capitalist countries, France, for example, employ what is often called state capitalism. In this form of a mixed economy, the state becomes a major shareholder in private enterprises. An alternative, employed in Great Britain (more in the past than now), is for the state to own some industries while leaving others in private hands.