How might merchants benefit more under capitalism than under mercantilsm

Mercantilism is an economic theory about the world economy. Mercantilists believed that to become wealthy, a country must acquire gold and silver. A country could do this by selling more goods to other countries than it bought from them, which would cause more gold and silver to flow into the country than flow out to pay for products. Mercantilists also argued that a country should be self-efficient in raw materials; if it had raw materials they would not have to buy them from other countries.

Mercantilism, like most things, had its advantages and flaws. Even though it gave a reliable market for some raw materials and an eager supplier for the manufactured goods they needed, it prevented colonies from selling goods to other nations, even if they could get a better price. Furthermore, if a colony produced nothing the home country needed, it could not acquire gold or silver to buy manufactured goods.

Explanation:

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