What is the best definition for mercantilism? an economic policy in which investors buy shares in a company in order to share the risks and profits an economic policy in which countries collect gold or silver and control trade an economic system in which individuals own businesses an economic system in which money is put into something, such as a business, in order to make a profit

Answer

an economic policy in which countries collect gold or silver and control trade

Explanation

Mercantilism is also known as Commercialism which was  a system  in which a country attempts to amass wealth through trade with other countries, exporting more than it imports and increasing stores of gold and precious metals.  This form of trade theory espoused by the major powers.It advocated that a nation should export more than it imported and accumulate bullion (especially gold) to make up the difference. The exportation of finished goods was favored over extractive industries like farming. Its importance was that  Mercantilism restricts imports, which reduces the choices available to consumers in the marketplace

because they can and they wanted to.