and pricing the government is expected to take a laissez-faire position and exert little or no control.
The function of controlling the economy and coordinating the many independent decisions is achieved through the operation of a free price system. The force of competition is expected to be an important factor in assuming the smooth and efficient functioning of the price system. The mechanism of prices determines and directs the flow of goods and services and helps in the distribution of total output as income among individuals who participate in productions. Since prices are expressed in money only, money becomes the life blood of a capitalist economy. The capitalist economy clusters round the pivot of money.
In a capitalist economy, the consumer is free to choose what goods to buy and how much to buy. Normally he will choose those products which yield the greatest utility relative to their price. Apart from the consumer's individual tastes and circumstances, his choice of purchases will depend upon 1) his total money income; 2) the part of his money income which he prefers to spend on consumer goods; 3) the price of the goods and services which he actually purchases and 4) the prices of other goods and services.
The collective decision of the whole body of consumers directs production in a capitalist economy. A producer will produce only that commodity for which there is demand. He can get a good price and earn profit by producing in accordance with the consumer's choices or preferences. The volume of production it depends upon the consumer's attitude towards spending and saving, depending upon the rate of interest. The wishes of the consumers are thus made known to the producers through the mechanism of prices.
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