merkantílisma

Mercantilism is an economic theory and practice that dominated European economic thought and policies from the 16th to the 18th century. Its core belief was that a nation's wealth and power were best served by increasing exports and collecting precious metals in return. This accumulation of wealth was seen as finite, leading to a competitive, zero-sum view of international trade.

Key tenets of mercantilism included maintaining a positive balance of trade, where exports significantly exceeded imports. To achieve this, governments actively intervened in their economies. They imposed tariffs and quotas on imported goods to discourage foreign competition and offered subsidies and tax exemptions to domestic industries to boost production. Colonies played a crucial role, serving as sources of raw materials for the mother country and as captive markets for its manufactured goods.

Nations practicing mercantilism sought to establish strong, centralized states capable of enforcing these economic policies. They believed that a robust economy was essential for military strength and national security. While mercantilism fostered the growth of domestic industries and contributed to the rise of nation-states, its focus on protectionism and colonial exploitation eventually led to trade disputes and ultimately gave way to more liberal economic theories like free trade.