is mercantilism still used today 
yes to some extent it exists in certain countries whose governments seek to maintain control over property ownership trade and the creation of wealth the bottom linethe precursor to free trade economic theory mercantilism reigned supreme for three centuries mercantilism s theory relating to financial wealth building and state power supported the use of protectionism to increase export revenue and decrease imports it sparked an age of exploration and colonization in an effort to secure raw materials controllable trade partners and a net transfer of wealth mercantilism has been replaced in many parts of the world by free trade theory and capitalism however it s still seen in the tariffs imposed by governments of nations seeking a fair or unfair balance of trade with other nations 