mercantilistista

Mercantilistista is a term that has been used to describe a particularly ardent or doctrinaire adherence to mercantilist economic principles. Mercantilism itself was a dominant economic theory and practice from the 16th to the 18th centuries. It emphasized the accumulation of national wealth, primarily through a positive balance of trade, where a nation exports more goods than it imports. This was believed to increase a nation's stock of precious metals like gold and silver.

A mercantilistista would likely advocate for strong government intervention in the economy to achieve these goals. This could include imposing high tariffs on imported goods to discourage them, offering subsidies to domestic industries to boost exports, and establishing colonies to serve as sources of raw materials and captive markets for finished products. The focus would be on national self-sufficiency and the maximization of state power through economic means.

While classical mercantilist policies were widespread in Europe during the era, the term "mercantilistista" suggests an individual or group that holds these views with an almost unyielding conviction, perhaps even in a historical context where such ideas are no longer the mainstream economic orthodoxy. It implies a strong belief in the efficacy of protectionist measures and state-directed economic activity, often prioritizing national economic strength above concerns for individual economic freedom or broader international cooperation. The concept can sometimes be used critically to describe policies perceived as outdated or overly nationalistic.