Is Trump more of a mercantilist or a capitalist? Is it a fusion? Does his mercantilist POV explain threats of annexation? His foreign policy?

[DrPepper12]

https://www.thebalancemoney.com/mercantilism-definition-examples-significance-today-4163347

Mercantilism, a historical economic system focused on national wealth accumulation through trade surpluses and state intervention, contrasts with capitalism, which emphasizes private ownership, free markets, and profit-driven production.

Mercantilism

National wealth and power through trade surpluses, accumulating precious metals, and government control of the economy.

Key Principles:

Positive balance of trade: Exporting more than importing to accumulate wealth.

Accumulation of precious metals: Gold and silver were seen as the primary indicators of national wealth.

Government intervention: Strong state control over trade, industry, and the economy.

Protectionist policies: Tariffs, quotas, and other measures to protect domestic industries.

Historical Context:

Predominant economic system in Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Examples:

European powers' colonial policies, where colonies provided raw materials and served as markets for manufactured goods.

Capitalism

Private ownership of the means of production, free markets, and profit maximization.

Key Principles:

Private ownership: Individuals and businesses own and control the means of production (land, labor, capital).

Free markets: Prices and production are determined by supply and demand, with minimal government intervention.

Profit motive: Businesses are driven by the pursuit of profit.

Competition: Businesses compete with each other to attract customers and earn profits.

Historical Context:

Emerged as a dominant economic system in the 18th century, with roots in the decline of mercantilism.

Examples:

Modern economies where private companies produce goods and services for profit, with minimal government intervention.

More Mercantilist

More Capitalist

Hybrid / fusion

The OG Trumponomics

Don't complicate it. He's a nepobaby Mafia boss

I speak Trumpese... Here's the tea...

[OneViewpoint]

Dude, you know the answer to this question. tRump has no idea what a mercantilist or a capitalist is. And he has zero desire to know.

He's an imbecile-ist and a bully, a common criminal. He couldn't even read what you wrote before his mind wandered off to his McDonald's lunch order for the day.

tRump just fakes it every day of his life. It's what he's done for 77 years. It is literally all he's capable of. It works because his angry MAGA cult is even dumber than he is and Republican politicians couldn't come up with the components for a single spine between the lot of them.

[DrPepper12]

Accurate. Even if he doesn't understand the concepts I thought maybe we could use the descriptors and analysis. But alas you're right it's a fool's errand

[OneViewpoint]

I mean you could analyze his overall behavior and infer what he is based on his actions over time. He may not have any awareness of what he is but his actions would theoretically reveal a consistent pattern of beliefs.

The problem with that is tRump doesn't really have any beliefs. His rhetoric literally changes by the hour depending on his ego, his current scam, and the audience in front of him in that moment. His beliefs, if he has any at all, are that scamming morons is a great way to get rich. How do you measure that, LOL?

[BonzoInBitburg]

My politics lean right and I'm fully in the capitalist camp but I don't recognize Trump as a capitalist. I don't understand the need to bring low paying manufacturing jobs back to the US. Focus on what America is good at and that's innovation. There's a severe shortage in the trades that should be addressed. Pissing off the world won't make America great. It will only lead to the rest of the world trying to make America irrelevant

[DrPepper12]

Cogent. Accurate. Knowledgeable. TY!

[exitseven]

Trump has his own way of doing things. He is not a politician. He is more of a businessman that has branched out into other things. He had a successful TV show and has held the highest office in America.

I was not sure that he was doing the right thing with the tariffs. It seemed he was doing it too fast but now I realize that he did this for a reason. He is bringing jobs back to America, collecting billions in tariffs and he is putting China in their place all at the same time.

[DrPepper12]

No business is going to commit to manufacturing in America in a time of turmoil and instability. They're going to wait it out because they know he's a lame duck.

Those billions in tariffs are money stolen out of our wallets for a 1% tax break. Surely you understand that?

He's not doing anything to China. All sound and fury signifying nothing. China plays the long game and can wait it out. He couldn't even conceive of the level of strategic and tactical thinking that the Chinese do.

[exitseven]

China will last less thana month before Xi has to beg Trump for a deal. Trump and te US holds all the cards. China built it;s whole economy around selling cheap stuff to Americans. Trump is taking their whole economy away.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

A weird breed mixing anarcho-capitalism with national-populism

[DrPepper12]

You know that's pretty damn accurate!!

[loveslongnails]

Trump is a megalomaniac narcissist and a Russian asset. Oh, were you asking about business acumen? What do you think his net worth would be if all his loans were called in against his assets, and you couldn't count the bribes he's taken and tucked away in foreign countries?

[Dargil]

I thank every decision that president Trump makes is to advance the prosperity, liberty and safety of the United States. I may not agree with every move that he makes up front but I expect that it will come out okay.

[DrPepper12]

So the anti Reagan? Trust but don't verify? 😉🤔

[Dargil]

Whatever that means.

[OddBeMe]

He wants to be a robber baron from the 1800s

[DrPepper12]

That is absolutely true and I'm glad you chose the descriptor robber baron instead of captain of industry because if he was the captain, the US is the Titanic.

[OddBeMe]

At least he went down with the ship.

[beefcakebradybatson]

He's a wannabe dictator !!!

[DrPepper12]

FACTS

[alice55]

n France h's view as populist

[Kingofkings1992]

He’s your president

[DrPepper12]

Yes. Regrettably.

[NathanDavis]

he's a puppet

[DrPepper12]

I would have went with Muppet.