in capitalism, people may sell or lend their property, and other people may buy or borrow it. if one person wants to buy, and another person wants to sell to them, they do not need to get permission from higher power. people can have a market (buying and selling with each other) without anyone else telling them to. people who own capital are sometimes called "capitalists" (people who support capitalism are called capitalists, too). they can hire anyone who wants to work in their factories, shops or lands for them for the pay they offer.