What economic system was designed to benefit the mother country through trade regulations?

Mercantilism is the economic system that was specifically designed to benefit the mother country through trade regulations. This practice, prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries, involved the accumulation of wealth by the mother country (such as England) at the expense of its colonies. Under mercantilism, colonies were expected to provide raw materials to the mother country and serve as markets for finished goods produced there. This system ensured that wealth flowed back to the mother country, while limiting the colonies' own economic development and trade with other nations.

In contrast, capitalism focuses on private ownership and free markets without strict government control over trade. Socialism emphasizes collective ownership and distribution of resources, which does not align with the mercantilist focus on benefiting the mother country. Feudalism was a medieval system based on land ownership and loyalty, not trade regulation, making it distinct from the trade-oriented nature of mercantilism. Thus, mercantilism stands out as the correct choice in this context.