Economic systems are not just abstract sets of rules or structures, but are enacted and perpetuated through the behaviors and interactions of individuals and institutions. Below are ways in which capitalism is “performed” by various actors in American society:

1. Entrepreneurs and Businesses: Entrepreneurs, business owners, and corporations are primary actors in capitalism. They perform capitalism by starting companies, producing goods and services, engaging in competition, seeking profits, and investing in new ventures. Their focus on innovation, growth, and market expansion are key elements of capitalist activity.

2. Consumers: By making purchasing decisions, consumers play a key role in driving the market economy. Consumer demand influences what is produced and sold, and ‘voting with their dollars’, they can shape market trends and corporate strategies.

3. Workers: Employees engage with the capitalist system by selling their labor in exchange for wages. This performance includes not only their work activities but also their participation in negotiating wages, seeking employment, and potentially organizing (such as through unions) to demand better pay and working conditions.

4. Investors and Financial Institutions: Capitalism is fueled by capital, and investors—ranging from individuals with savings accounts to large institutional investors like pension funds—allocate their financial resources in hopes of returns. Banks, stock markets, and other financial institutions facilitate these investments, providing the infrastructure necessary for capital to flow.

5. The Government: While often thought to stand outside of capitalism, governments perform a critical role by setting the rules of the game through regulation, taxation, and the provision of public goods and services. The degree of government intervention in the economy can vary, influencing the balance between free markets and regulatory oversight.

6. Educators and Academic Institutions: Education systems perpetuate capitalist values and practices by training individuals with the skills necessary for the workforce, fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, and researching and developing new technologies that feed back into the economic system.

7. Media and Cultural Institutions: The media spreads and normalizes capitalist values through advertising, entertainment, and news that often prioritize narratives of economic growth, consumerism, and individual success within the capitalist framework.

8. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Activists: These actors can both support and challenge the capitalist system. Some NGOs may work to support business development, while others might advocate for corporate responsibility, environmental sustainability, or labor rights, engaging with capitalism critically.

9. Legal System: The legal system upholds property rights, enforces contracts, and settles business disputes, which are all necessary for the smooth operation of a capitalist economy.

In essence, capitalism is performed by these actors in an ongoing, dynamic process. Individuals and collective entities are constantly making decisions that reflect and shape capitalist ideologies and practices. They are engaging with markets, influencing production and consumption patterns, and reacting to the incentives and constraints established by the economic system.

Please share more about the day-to-day "roles" that entrepreneurs, business owners, and corporations "play" when "performing". Write a lengthy illustration with specific examples.