What determines how a society answers its three basic economic questions?

The correct choice reflects that a society's unique combination of values and goals fundamentally shapes how it addresses the three basic economic questions: what to produce, how to produce, and for whom to produce. These questions pertain to resource allocation and priorities, which are heavily influenced by the cultural, social, and ethical frameworks that exist within a society.

For example, a society that values environmental sustainability may prioritize producing renewable energy sources over fossil fuels, while a society that values technological advancement might focus on innovative software and gadgets. Similarly, the distribution of goods and services can vary significantly based on whether a society emphasizes equity, profit, or communal sharing. This underlying set of values and goals informs not just individual choices, but also collective policies and practices.

While government regulations, economic theories, and global trends play important roles in shaping economic activity, they are often responses or adaptations to the core values and goals of the society. Thus, it's the unique combination of values and goals that ultimately drives how a society formulates its answers to the foundational economic questions.