A capitalist economic system is built on the respect of private property and competition. Hard work and free enterprise benefit citizens more than the government can. For the most part, government intervention is reduced. However, the government does provide security and some basic services, like infrastructure, to its citizens.
Socialist and communist systems endure more government control. Citizens of these economies have a limited amount of freedom by law. The government controls the market place and the production of most goods and services.
^ My answer from Edge