Which concept describes the belief in the benefits of profitable trading?

The correct answer is mercantilism, which is an economic theory and practice that emphasizes the importance of profitable trading as a foundation for national power. Mercantilism arose in the 16th to 18th centuries and suggests that a country's wealth is measured by its holdings of gold and silver, which can be increased through a favorable balance of trade—exporting more than importing.

Mercantilists believed that government intervention in the economy was necessary to achieve this favorable balance, often leading to protective tariffs and monopoly practices to enhance domestic industry and trade. This approach prioritizes profit from trade as a means to build national strength and wealth, reinforcing the interconnectedness between economic activity and state power.

Other choices represent different economic systems or philosophies. Capitalism refers to a system where private individuals own and control property and businesses, focusing on profit generation through free market competition. Socialism advocates for collective or governmental ownership of production means, aiming for wealth distribution and social welfare rather than maximizing trade profits. Feudalism defines a hierarchical system of land ownership and labor in medieval societies, which does not center on trading as a means of profit. Each of these systems offers a different perspective on the role of trade and economic structure, but mercantilism specifically encapsulates the belief