Mercantilistinen

Mercantilistinen is a term that refers to mercantilism, an economic theory and practice that was dominant in Europe from the 16th to the 18th century. Mercantilism posits that a nation's wealth and power are best served by increasing exports and collecting wealth in the form of precious metals, such as gold and silver. This economic system emphasized a positive balance of trade, meaning a country should export more goods than it imports.

Governments practicing mercantilism often implemented protectionist policies to achieve this goal. These policies included imposing tariffs on imported goods, subsidizing domestic industries, and granting monopolies to certain companies. The aim was to create a self-sufficient economy where the nation could produce most of what it consumed and sell its surplus to other countries. Colonies played a crucial role in mercantilist economies, serving as sources of raw materials and captive markets for manufactured goods from the colonizing power.

Key tenets of mercantilism include the belief that wealth is finite, often referred to as a zero-sum game, where one nation's gain is another's loss. This led to intense competition and frequent trade wars between European powers. While mercantilism contributed to the growth of nation-states and early industrial development, it was eventually superseded by the principles of free trade and classical economics, championed by figures like Adam Smith, who argued that specialization and open markets led to greater overall prosperity.