Reading. Four basic types of economic system are found around the world

In its pure form, a market economy, also referred to as free enterprise or capitalism, is based on supply and demand. Rather than government controlling price and production, as seen in some other economic categories, a market economy is driven by entrepreneurial investment into the production of goods and by consumer demand in purchasing those goods. An entrepreneur's investment, which is necessary in this economic category, comes not only in the form of money, but also decisions to invest personal resources into training and education, plus decisions about the kind of jobs, goods, and services he decides to focus on. The United States is an example of a market economy.

A command economy is sometimes called a planned economy. Unlike a market economy complete government control of the economy is at the core of the command economy system. The government determines what products to make, how they should be produced, who should produce them, where they should be marketed and at what price. A lack of flexibility in reacting to market conditions and consumer behavior is a primary drawback of this economic system. Cuba and the former Soviet Union are examples of command economies.

As its name suggests, a mixed economy has components of both a market economy and a command economy. It is one of the more common economic systems throughout the world. Both the market and the government play important roles in this system. The dilemma for nations favoring a mixed economy is to determine the optimum amount of government involvement, although that balance is generally swayed to meet government objectives. Sweden is an example of a mixed economy.

A traditional economy is often overlooked in discussions of economic systems. Few countries strictly follow a traditional economy. Traditional economic systems center on agrarian practices and, as its name implies, decisions regarding what services and products are produced and how they are marketed are based on historic practices or traditions. Resources are often allocated according to inherited rights. But a traditional economy also carries some benefits. Workers feel more secure, resulting in greater work capacity and lowered unemployment rates. The traditional economy approach can still be seen among Australian aborigines and some remote tribes in the Amazon. The concept continues to play a major role in the economic systems of Papua New Guinea and other developing nations in Africa, Asia and South America.