Kornai examines capitalism as an economic system and in comparison to socialism. He offers a view of capitalism as an economy of surplus - a chronic excess of supply of goods and labour. This environment breeds rivalry among producers, which in turn encourages innovation. Socialism, on the other hand, is defined by a shortage of goods and labour and excess of demand. Whereas socialism is slothful and imitative, capitalism is dynamic and progressive. The two chapters of this book explore these differing ideologies.