mercantilism

[man in the red suit]

I have been learning about this. It is a economic/political system during the time of the puritans that stresses strong government control over the national economy. Sounded kind of familiar to me but I don't really understand it that well. Do any of you have a better understanding of this system? I could use some help since I will most likely have a test on it if things keep going my way.

ever have one of those weeks where it is just raining shit on you 24 7? this is one of those weeks. Many tests, so little time. so help me out guys.

[Marxman]

Okay, I can help you out. Mercantilism is a system of a uniformed economics, which is controlled by the state and is in complete order for state's needs. It was developed in absolutist states of Europe as the need of the state for new means of money for organising administration with many bueracracy, for increasing state's wealth, for pleasing conquering tendencies and also for a personal fame of the ruler, who wanted to show his magnificence with luxurious buildings.

With many measures absolutist states have tried to get economics under the state's control and leadership. The state incouraged the development of home manufactures and commerce with many relieves and investments. For accelerating commerce they build roads, bridges and channels. To protect home trade and production, they protected themselves from foreign currency with high import customs. The state involved in economics also that in manufactures it determined the price of products and also wage. It constantly raised taxes. The tax burden had the most horrid effects on farmers and smaller traders.

The goal of mercantilism was besides accelerating export and limitating import, also full exploitation of natural resources. They believed that for the economics' prosperity gold is the most important and that the states must get it with trade commerce without its own stock. In this purpose they established also trade companies, which enjoyed the support of the government. There were many TRADE WARS, for example the ENGLISH-DUTCH war.

Mercantilistic economical politics had favourably influenced especially the economics of France, which in the other half of the 17th century it became the most powerful economic force of Europe.


There, I've transcripted and translated this from my school book that we had in second year. I hope it helped.

[man in the red suit]

that's the same thing my school book says. Helpful though. I alread understood that exports were better than imports. your first paragraph pretty much sumed up everything I didn't get before. So thank you.