What is mercantilist theory of trade?

What is mercantilist theory of trade?

Mercantilism was an economic system of trade that spanned from the 16th century to the 18th century. Mercantilism was based on the idea that a nation’s wealth and power were best served by increasing exports and so involved increasing trade.

What is the mercantile theory?

Mercantilism is an economic theory that emphasizes self-sufficiency through a favorable balance of trade. Mercantilist economic policies rely on government intervention to restrict imports and protect domestic industries.

What is mercantilism theory with example?

What is an example of mercantilism? A mercantilistic example includes the Sugar Act of 1764 that made colonists pay higher tariffs and duties on imports of foreign-made refined sugar products.

What is the mercantile trade?

Mercantile trade means the trade of wholesale or retail selling of commodities and any operation supplemental or incidental thereto, including, but not limited to, buying, delivery, maintenance, office, stock and clerical work.

Who proposed mercantilism theory?

Adam Smith coined the term “mercantile system” to describe the system of political economy that sought to enrich the country by restraining imports and encouraging exports. This system dominated Western European economic thought and policies from the sixteenth to the late eighteenth centuries.

What are the 3 characteristics of mercantilism?

Characteristics of Mercantilism

  • Accumulation of Gold. Gold was associated with wealth and power.
  • Belief that Wealth is Static. At the heart of mercantilism was the belief that wealth was static.
  • Large Population.
  • Positive Balance of Trade.
  • Reliance on Colonies.
  • State Monopolies.
  • Trade Barriers.

What are 5 characteristics of mercantilism?

What is the main features of mercantilism?

The primary objective of the principles of mercantilism was to augment the power, wealth and prosperity of a nation state by regulating the nation’s economy. It was the economic counterpart of political absolutism. Precious metals, such as gold and silver were deemed indispensable to a nation’s wealth.

Why is mercantilism important?

Key Takeaways. Mercantilism exists to increase a country’s wealth through its exports. British economic growth was propelled by raw materials supplied by its colonies so the nation could export finished products. Mercantilism brought about many acts against humanity, including slavery and an imbalanced system of trade.

What are the 5 components of mercantilism?

Match

  • Import more than export.
  • Acquire vast amounts of gold & silver.
  • High taxes on imported goods.
  • Control Sea power.
  • Colonize for sources of raw materials & captive market for goods.

What was the main objective of mercantilism?

The mercantilist goal was to maximize a nation’s export surplus—the balance of trade, which was equated with the future prosperity and power of the realm—and the means were cheap production inputs, that is, cheap raw materials (for which colonies proved useful) and cheap, and therefore poor, labor at home.

What were the four main principles of mercantilism?

The underlying principles of mercantilism included (1) the belief that the amount of wealth in the world was relatively static; (2) the belief that a country’s wealth could best be judged by the amount of precious metals or bullion it possessed; (3) the need to encourage exports over imports as a means for obtaining a …

Who developed the theory of mercantilism?

What are the main characteristics of mercantilism?

Main ideas or Characteristics of Mercantilism:

  • Wealth: The fundamental aim of the mercantilists was to make the country strong.
  • Foreign Trade: The Mercantilist theory of foreign trade is known as the balance of trade theory.
  • Commerce and Industry:
  • Population:
  • Natural Resources:
  • Wages and Rent:
  • Interest:
  • Taxation:

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