Within the market system, what determines prices?

In a market system, prices are fundamentally determined by the forces of supply and demand. This interaction between buyers and sellers shapes the prices of goods and services. When demand for a product increases while the supply remains constant, prices tend to rise because more consumers are competing to purchase that item. Conversely, if there is an increase in supply without a corresponding increase in demand, prices tend to fall as sellers compete to attract buyers.

The dynamics of supply and demand illustrate how various factors such as consumer preferences, production costs, and the availability of alternatives all influence market prices. Therefore, it's this relationship between buyers (who create demand) and sellers (who provide supply) that collectively determines the market price, making this choice the most accurate representation of how pricing works in a market economy.