Final answer:
Free Trade opposes strict governmental trade regulation and favors unrestricted international commerce, unlike mercantilism and protectionism which involve more government control and trade restrictions. Capitalism generally supports less government intervention compared to mercantilism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept which is against strict governmental regulation of trade and supports the unfettered flow of commerce between nations is known as Free Trade (Option A). In contrast to free trade, mercantilism (Option C) and protectionism (Option B) both involve government policies that restrict trade. Mercantilism typically supports greater governmental regulation than capitalism to maximize a nation's wealth through trade surpluses and accumulation of precious metals. Protectionist policies include high tariffs and restrictions to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. Capitalism (Option D) is an economic system where trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state; it generally favors less government intervention in the markets.
One key difference between mercantilism and capitalism is that mercantilism supports more government regulation to maximize national wealth, often through trade surpluses. Adam Smith famously rejected mercantilism, proposing that trade liberalization benefits individuals and countries (Option C). Cartels like NAFTA represent moves towards a free trade approach, reducing trade barriers and promoting international commerce.