The term "Capitalism" is derived from the word "Capital," which meaning "money" or "wealth." They are your capital, whether they be houses, automobiles, or land. Capitalism is a system in which everyone works to the best of their abilities but receives returns based on their capital. The guy with the largest capital will earn the most. Essentially, capitalism is an ideology that encourages privatization, with private persons owning the means of production such as land, farms, factories, and industries.