Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.
Capitalistic ownership means two things. First, the owners control the factors of production. Second, they derive their income from their ownership. That gives them the ability to operate their companies efficiently. It also provides them with the incentive to maximize profit. This incentive is why many capitalists say "Greed is good."In corporations, the shareholders are the owners. Their level of control depends on how many shares they own. The shareholders elect a board of directors.