This text focuses on comparisons between the three major types of economic systems in the world today - capitalism, transition economies of the former Soviet Union, and the economies of the LDC's and developing countries. Several variants of capitalism as represented by the U.S., Germany, and Japan are explored. Also discussed are the problems involved in the transformation of the former communist countries of Russia and Eastern Europe into capitalist countries. Developing economy coverage includes comparisons between China and India, the two largest countries in the world, as well as comparisons between Nigeria and South Africa.