Introduction
Mercantilism is an economic philosophy that has shaped the international economy since the 16th century. It became an important part of the European economy during the 17th and 18th centuries, when many European countries were trying to increase their wealth, power, and influence in world affairs. Mercantilism revolves around the idea that a country should strive to increase its exports while minimizing imports, maximizing its wealth through protective tariffs and subsidies, and actively pursuing overseas colonies. In the modern era, mercantilism has been largely abandoned in favor of more open and free-market approaches to international trade.
Description
The basis of mercantilism is the concept of a favorable balance of trade. This means that a country should strive to export more than it imports, resulting in a surplus of exports over imports—or a favorable balance of trade being achieved. This results in an increase in overall wealth and power in the exporting country. To facilitate this, mercantilists argue that a country should implement protective tariffs and other trade barriers to limit imports and promote exports. This can be seen in the prevalence of tariffs and subsidies in parts of the world.
Mercantilists argue that wealth can also be achieved through expanding overseas colonies. This is done to source raw materials and valuable commodities, as well as to increase a countrys potential for trade. In addition, many mercantilists argued that colonies could also be used to provide markets for a countrys own products. The desire for colonies and overseas trade was one of the underlying factors fueling European exploration and colonialism in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The rise of industrialism sees a shift away from mercantilism as countries recognize that encouraging industry, innovation, and raw materials is often a more effective way to increase international trade and a countrys wealth. By the 19th century, although mercantilism was still practiced in many places, the dominant economic model in Europe and the United States was becoming increasingly market-oriented rather than state-directed (i.e., mercantilism).
Modern Times
The most prominent example of mercantilism today is in the form of trade barriers and tariffs implemented by countries in order to protect their own industries and sources of wealth. This may take the form of quotas and export restrictions, as well as tariffs, duties, and other taxes. Many countries also subsidize certain industries in order to maintain the competitive advantage they create.
Mercantilism is also present in the form of energy policies, wherein countries attempt to secure exclusive access to particular sources of energy in order to ensure that their industries remain competitive. This is especially prevalent in the Middle East, where countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran continue to pursue mercantilist policies in order to maintain their own economic, political, and military clout.
Conclusion
It is clear that mercantilism is still present in the modern era. Some of its basic principles—such as the pursuit of a favorable balance of trade and the domestication of international trade—are still seen in contemporary economic policy. However, it is no longer the dominant form of international economic thought. Instead, most countries now recognize that free and open markets, combined with investment in industry and innovation, are often a more effective way of increasing international trade and a countrys wealth.
