What is Capitalism?

The word capitalism seems to get thrown around a lot these days. Many seem to be for it, and many seem to be against it. Some are taught the evils and others are taught the good of capitalism. Even the Pope had something to say about capitalism. In order to learn more about it and understand the concept, I first went to dictionary.com to get a definition:

"an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth"

Capitalism is very much about big business and it's control. Automatically this can set people off, but it can be a good thing if these private individuals and corporations are willing to have their production, distribution, and exchange of wealth in a healthy and giving manner. One great book I started reading years ago that is in defense of capitalism is Arguing with Idiots by Glenn Beck.