mercantile system

American  

[mur-kuhn-teel sis-tuhm, -tahyl] / ˈmɜr kənˌtil ˌsɪs təm, -ˌtaɪl /

noun

Economics.

1. a system of political and economic policy, evolving with the modern national state and seeking to secure a nation's political and economic supremacy in its rivalry with other states. According to this system, money was regarded as a store of wealth, and the goal of a state was the accumulation of precious metals, by exporting the largest possible quantity of its products and importing as little as possible, thus establishing a favorable balance of trade.

---

Etymology

Origin of mercantile system

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

He also thought that these free trade deals would essentially be corrupted by the people who make the deal, which he called the mercantile system.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2025

The store was on its feet within one year, expanding in two, opening branches in three, and its descendants, a great mercantile system, now dominate a large part of the area.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

When once the shackles of the British mercantile system were shaken off, they did not doubt their ability to compete for the markets of the world.

From Union and Democracy by Johnson, Allen

But as the law for the encouragement of coinage derives its origin from these vulgar prejudices which have been introduced by the mercantile system, I judged it more proper to reserve them for this chapter.

From An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Garnier, Germain

Adam Smith, an eminent English political economist of that day, vehemently condemned the British Government's colonial mercantile system as suicidal; but his condemnation came too late to have any effect.

From The Leading Facts of English History by Montgomery, D. H. (David Henry)