Without advancements in technology, an economy's production possibilities curve may not shift outward, and the economy basically will be going nowhere fast. A lack of competition is another fault of the twentieth century society in Looking Backward . Bellamy's society is controlled solely by the government. The government is the only producer, the only distributor, and the only employer in the nation. In actuality, competition is essential to an economy.
Competition ensures that businesses are running efficiently.
If a business failed to do so, it would eventually be forced out of the market by competitors. Competition gives the consumer a choice. If the consumer is not happy with the quality of a product, he or she can turn to another store which produces a similar product. In the case of the twentieth century society, if a person does not approve of the choices offered at the warehouse or if they are not satisfied with the quality of the product, he or she has nowhere else to turn. Competition also keeps companies searching for more efficient ways to use their resources and improve their product.