Economic thinking

 Until the Age of Enlightenment, the most common economic trend was mercantilism, based on the accumulation of precious metals.

Enlightenment thinkers, however, defended physiocracy (Quesnay) , which saw agriculture as the primary source of wealth, and economic liberalism (Adam Smith).

Adam Smith, following the physiocrat´s ideas, developed free trade theory. Countries should not raise barriers for trade or intervene in economic
matters such market prices, those must be set by the supply and demand rules. This was the origin or capitalism..