The aim of this work is to offer the reader an overview of the world's major legal systems. Special attention is given to the two main ramifications of the Western legal tradition—civil law and common law—before addressing Latin America and its problematic development and the Eastern European countries' transition from socialism to the market economy. Then, the religious systems of Africa; the Islamic tradition, which has always been in competition with Western tradition; and Indian, Chinese and Japanese law are discussed. In this area too, it is possible to see a tension between tradition and innovation, which has given rise to many problems of adaptation, not yet fully resolved; China, which has now become an economic superpower, second only to the United States, at least for now, arouses particular interest. However, economic successes have not always gone hand in hand with the protection of the environment, labour and consumers. The paradox of contemporary China lies in the contrast between its role as an economic superpower and the lack of progress in human rights and political freedoms.
