commerce = research?

[dx8976]

if research is at 100%
is commerce generated by tiles and trade routes = research?

would it then be better for research to stay in mercantilism if you have pyramids, than to go free market if the additional trade route would net you less than 3 cpt?

 

[Proteus]

would it then be better for research to stay in mercantilism if you have pyramids, than to go free market if the additional trade route would net you less than 3 cpt?

I don´t think so.
In the description of mercantilism it says "no foreign traderoutes".

If I understand it correctly that means, that your cities won´t trade with foreign cities, not even if you have an open borders treaty with other civs.

This is a big disadvantage IMHO, as it´s normally the foreign traderoutes which get you the most commerce.
It´s also the reason why I never in any of my games used mercantilism.

 

[snipafist]

I disagree. Mercantilism is great before you get astronomy (as most of the wealthy trade routes are to cities that are far away on another continent that you can't even get to yet), as the free specialists are wonderful, especially with representation. If you've got a free scientist in every city generating 6 beakers a turn, that can add up fairly quickly and easily defeats slightly more profitable trade routes to a city on the same continent.

However it should be noted that shutting down trade routes also slows religious expansion, as religions tend to migrate to places through trade routes. If you really want to be giving/getting religions, mercantilism is not the civic for you.

 

[Oggums]

You're correct on this.

Mercantilsm is better if your borders are closed (i.e. at war with the world), or you don't have Astronomy yet. Otherwise, you'll probably want Free Market, since that extra trade route likely will net you 3 cpt or more.