Difference Between Capitalism and Mercantilism
Capitalism vs Mercantilism
Capitalism evolved from mercantilism and while both economic systems are geared towards profit, these systems have differences in the way this is achieved. Capitalism is an economic system that works around the concept of wealth creation in the pursuit of economic growth for the nation while mercantilism focuses on wealth accumulation through extraction of wealth which they believe is measured by the amount of gold bullions that the nation has in its possession. Wealth extraction efforts are augmented by colonization to gain more wealth.
Capitalists regard the individual member of society as the central figure in wealth creation. They believe that a nation’s wealth could grow through the productive efforts of each individual. They view individuals as naturally competitive. As such, they will enhance their skills to achieve greater efficiency in adding value to their own wealth and consequently contribute to the economic success of the nation. There is no pre-defined end to wealth creation. Nations must continue to grow wealthier each day. Mercantilists, on the other hand, think that wealth is finite and the skills of the people should, therefore, be honed for greater efficiency in extracting from such wealth. They further support the idea that a nation should diversify and sell goods to other countries to accumulate more wealth while avoiding the importation of goods and services in order to maintain a positive balance of trade. The positive balance of trade means more gold goes to the treasury of the country.
Capitalism supports a competitive business environment where the forces of supply and demand determine the price of goods and services. In mercantilism, industries are run and controlled by monopolies which are protected and supported by the government through subsidies.
From the point of view of the capitalists, individuals should be given freedom and equal opportunity in creating wealth through a free market that has a level playing field and a minimal regulatory intervention. The individual’s freedom to consume what he wants encourages him to produce more and consequently gain more wealth that will give him more purchasing power. Mercantilists oppose this view and assert the need for heavy regulation in order to prevent the people from pursuing their natural selfish motives of amassing wealth for themselves instead of enriching their country. They even believe that people should be forced to be patriotic and submit themselves to regulation. Mercantilists go to the extent of prohibiting people from purchasing luxury items because this would mean a large amount of money flowing out of the economy.
Mercantilism is now considered as extinct while capitalism is the more popular system adopted by many economies all over the world.
Summary:
1. Capitalism views wealth creation as the key to economic growth while mercantilism believes that economic prosperity can be achieved through the extraction of wealth.
2. A capitalist society supports a competitive business environment while mercantilism advocates monopoly.
3. Capitalism encourages consumer spending and enjoyment of life to the fullest in order to make the economy grow while mercantilism discourages extravagance of consumers to prevent outflow of money from the economy.
4. Mercantilism is now considered extinct while capitalism enjoys world-wide acceptance.
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“Mercantilism is now considered extinct while capitalism enjoys world-wide acceptance.”
Observation would suggest the opposite. While we all hear the
preaching of capitalism, in practice all we see is mercantilism.
Witness gov’t subsidy of industries. Increasing frequency of
“growing a business by buying the competition” leading to
monopolistic practices.
Of course, real capitalism is not enforcable without a state, which is why it devolves more and more into mercantilism, if one couldn’t even say they’re one and the same thing at this point.
Hogwash! Capitalism isn’t part of the problem.
IT IS THE PROBLEM
Oh Howie, get back on your meds! You have more opportunity here in American than virtually any other nation. You can go to schools, learn a trade, start a business or sit on your assets…but you choose to do none of those things, right? You just complain because the world is so mean to you. American society isn’t fair to you, is it? Come on now, you can sit on your phat butt on the sofa and collect money and benefits, and oh yeah, to get free healthcare, without any input on your part whatsoever. Why is that Howie? See if any other nation provides you with the same…in equal measure. You can’t, and it’s an illusion to think the socialist nations of Europe do that, because they really don’t. That’s the biggest myth perpetuated by the loafing socialists besetting this country. This nation does NOT owe individuals a thing! Now get off your rear and find a job!
My my, Ben, you certainly have assumed a lot about Howard based on such a brief post. Seems you have an axe to grind, and opinions to project. Have you considered that he might be using sarcasm rather than identifying as a socialist?
Oh Dear, dear Byron….I just wanted this chain of people talking to keep going on and on~ However you guys do understand that usually people only come here for the information not really quibble over it. Life is too short for these games.
i love this so much poor been getting roasted
isnt suitable owing to the changed time
An axe to grind? Clearly all the socialists and communists have axes to grind, as they have put more people in the graves than any other form of government. Stalin was a tyrant upon his own people, far in excess of Adolf Hitler, and Mao Tse Tong was at least 3 times worse than Stalin. At least capitalism offers industrious individuals a way out of the economic chaos. Is it a perfect system? Of course not, because as long as we deal with humans, we’ll deal with some avarice, but with socialism, fascism, communism you have the most egregious constraints on human liberties. And it is not solely about economics here either, but are political maggots. They also attack freedoms of personal expressions and beliefs, and promote the state as the greatest good. Face it, those are evil bastards fare far worse than any capitalist nation by all measures.
Ben, Socialism is not communism! It uses capitalism to provide for the needs of a society, not its wants. Wouldn’t you be freer if the roads schools and hospitals were provided with this in mind… though your synopsis on personal responsibility may be a reflection of your successes it seems your advocating a system where others not so fortunate can go f…k?! If You pay taxes then odds are you live in a country with socialist values, again it’s not communism..!
Oh my ever so sweet Jazmin, I concur with the fullest of my ability
Is the major and better answer. Thanks.
I prefer capitalism in India
I prefer capitalism in India.
Sorry but this article is a marxist nonsense.