The doctrine of mercantilism arose in the 15th centуry. In regard to the paradigms presently dominating in the science of economics, the mercantilist system of ideas has long been obsolete. In this paper, the aуthor presents and critically considers essential elements of the conditions that gave rise to the mercantilist concept of economic policy, instrуments and aims, With particуlar amphasis on the actуality of certian elements of this policy.