Capitalist ideology puts a high value on working hard, being productive, and increasing the value of one's assets. Ownership of property is the cornerstone of capitalism because it directs the flow of wealth solely into the hands of the property owner. Throughout the novel, these values are shown in the most positive light possible and not critiqued.

Crusoe has deeply internalized this capitalist ideology. He claims ownership of the deserted island where he is shipwrecked and is very pleased when he can make it more productive through hard work. For instance, he grows corn, cultivates wild grapes so he can he have a store of raisins, and domesticates animals. He knows, too, that he benefits from not having any competition for the abundant resources at hand. He understands himself as lord of the manor.

Crusoe also understands the law of supply and demand. He only, for example, plants so much corn because there is a limit to what he can consume or store, and he knows the rest would simply rot. He knows that items have no value without a market, as he illustrates by saying:

The most covetous, griping miser in the world would have been cured of the vice of covetousness if he had been in my case; for I possessed infinitely more than I knew what to do with.

The quote above shows that Crusoe, understanding capitalism, values goods not for themselves, but for the profits they can produce. It is worth noting too that Crusoe is well pleased when he returns to civilization that the reinvestments of his "rents" from his Brazilian plantation has made him a wealthy man while he has been stranded. Capitalist is tied strongly to colonialism and slavery, as Crusoe profits from the lands taken from native peoples and the labor of slaves.