1.1. The Operation of the Market Mechanism
![Bureaucracy by Ludwig von Mises](https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_650w/s3/static-page/img/Bureaucracy_525x361.jpg.webp?itok=pCmu6WaT 650w,https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_870w/s3/static-page/img/Bureaucracy_525x361.jpg.webp?itok=x12G8Jum 870w,https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_1090w/s3/static-page/img/Bureaucracy_525x361.jpg.webp?itok=O9UgMbLl 1090w,https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_1310w/s3/static-page/img/Bureaucracy_525x361.jpg.webp?itok=lDlCYfTN 1310w,https://cdn.mises.org/styles/responsive_4_3_1530w/s3/static-page/img/Bureaucracy_525x361.jpg.webp?itok=P9JMdR2X 1530w)
The capitalists, the enterprisers, and the farmers are instrumental in the conduct of economic affairs. They are at the helm and steer the ship. But they are not free to shape its course. They are not supreme, they are steersmen only, bound to obey unconditionally the captain’s orders. The captain is the consumer.
From Chapter I: “Profit Management”. Narrated by Millian Quinteros.