Government action is only necessary when needed to uphold the rights of private property and to guarantee contracts. The most important characteristic of a capitalistic economic system is its goal. According to Robert Heilbroner, "The elusive goal for a capitalist nation is to secure, simultaneously, high employment and stable prices." (Heilbroner1 65) .
The origination of capitalism took place in Europe mainly during the thirteenth century and onward. The developments society underwent in Europe during the Renaissance and the Reformation were vital in the emergence of the modern nation-state. The nation state provided the essential peace, law, and order that are crucial for capitalism to grow. This growth is achieved through the accumulation of an economic surplus by the private entrepreneur and the funneling of this surplus back into the capitalist system for further expansion. Therefore without some minimum of peace, law and order, this cycle would not continue and capitalism would not be successful. (Heilbroner 147) .
As time rolled on capitalism continued to evolve. During the time period between the fifteenth century and the eighteenth century, when capitalism developed in another unique direction called mercantilism. The mercantilist system focused on the interests of the state rather than self-interest. The key idea of mercantilism is a surplus of exports over imports. This idea was the product of the state's preoccupation with accumulating national wealth. Mercantilism eliminated much of the self-interest needed for capitalism. Therefore mercantilism did not survive when capitalism evolved to the next step. (Heilbroner1 148-150) .
Adam Smith, the man who ushered in modern capitalism, attacked the idea of mercantilism. Smith believed in a natural economic order, or one with limited government regulation. Smith also felt the division of labor was important. He thought it was, "The extension of markets almost limitless possibilities for society to expand and trade.