mercantilism

简明释义

英[mɜːˈkæntɪlɪzəm]美[mɜːrˈkæntɪlɪzəm]

n. 重商主义；商人本性；商业主义

英英释义

单词用法

同义词

反义词

例句

1.Critics of mercantilism argue that it leads to monopolies and stifles competition.

对重商主义的批评者认为，这会导致垄断并抑制竞争。

2.Many historians believe that mercantilism contributed to the rise of the British Empire.

许多历史学家认为，重商主义促成了大英帝国的崛起。

3.The policies of mercantilism often favored export over import.

重商主义的政策通常更偏向于出口而非进口。

4.In school, we learned how mercantilism shaped colonial trade practices.

在学校里，我们学习了重商主义如何塑造殖民贸易实践。

5.During the 17th century, many European nations adopted mercantilism to increase their wealth and power.

在17世纪，许多欧洲国家采用重商主义来增加他们的财富和权力。

作文

The concept of mercantilism, or "重商主义", emerged in Europe during the late Middle Ages and dominated economic thought from the 16th to the 18th centuries. This economic theory emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth, primarily gold and silver, as a means to enhance national power. Under mercantilism, countries believed that the total volume of trade was essentially static, leading to the idea that one nation's gain was another's loss. As a result, nations sought to maximize their exports while minimizing imports, aiming for a favorable balance of trade.One of the key features of mercantilism was the belief that government intervention was necessary to achieve these economic goals. Governments implemented various policies to control trade, including tariffs, subsidies, and monopolies. For instance, many European nations established colonies to secure raw materials and create markets for their manufactured goods. This colonial expansion was justified under mercantilism, as it was seen as a way to strengthen the mother country’s economy.Critics of mercantilism argue that it led to inefficient resource allocation and fostered conflict between nations. The competition for colonies and resources often resulted in wars and strained diplomatic relations. Moreover, the strict regulations imposed by governments stifled innovation and entrepreneurship, as businesses were limited in their ability to operate freely in the market.The decline of mercantilism began in the late 18th century with the rise of classical economics, championed by thinkers like Adam Smith. Smith criticized mercantilism for its focus on accumulation of wealth rather than on the welfare of individuals. He argued that free markets, driven by supply and demand, would lead to greater prosperity for all, a stark contrast to the zero-sum perspective of mercantilism.Despite its decline, the principles of mercantilism can still be observed in modern economic policies. Some governments continue to adopt protectionist measures to shield domestic industries from foreign competition, reflecting the same underlying philosophy of prioritizing national interests over global cooperation. Additionally, the ongoing debates about trade deficits and surpluses echo mercantilism's concerns about national wealth.In conclusion, mercantilism played a significant role in shaping early modern economic policy and international relations. Its emphasis on state control and wealth accumulation laid the groundwork for future economic theories, both in support of and in opposition to its principles. Understanding mercantilism provides valuable insights into the historical context of contemporary economic practices and the ongoing discussions about the role of government in the economy.

重商主义的概念出现在中世纪晚期，并在16世纪到18世纪主导了经济思想。这一经济理论强调积累财富，主要是黄金和白银的重要性，以增强国家实力。在重商主义下，各国相信贸易的总量是静态的，因此认为一个国家的收益就是另一个国家的损失。因此，各国寻求最大化出口，同时最小化进口，力求实现贸易顺差。重商主义的一个关键特征是政府干预被认为是实现这些经济目标的必要条件。各国政府实施各种政策来控制贸易，包括关税、补贴和垄断。例如，许多欧洲国家建立殖民地，以确保原材料并为其制造商品创造市场。这种殖民扩张在重商主义下被合理化，因为它被视为加强母国经济的一种方式。重商主义的批评者认为，它导致了资源配置的低效，并加剧了国家之间的冲突。对殖民地和资源的竞争往往导致战争和紧张的外交关系。此外，政府施加的严格法规抑制了创新和企业家精神，因为企业在市场上运营的自由受到限制。重商主义的衰退始于18世纪末，古典经济学的兴起，亚当·斯密等思想家成为了这一运动的倡导者。斯密批评重商主义关注财富的积累而非个人的福祉。他认为，由供需驱动的自由市场将为所有人带来更大的繁荣，这与重商主义的零和视角形成鲜明对比。尽管重商主义衰退，但其原则在现代经济政策中仍可观察到。一些政府继续采取保护主义措施，以保护国内产业免受外国竞争的影响，反映出优先考虑国家利益而非全球合作的相同基本理念。此外，关于贸易逆差和顺差的持续辩论也呼应了重商主义对国家财富的关注。总之，重商主义在塑造早期现代经济政策和国际关系方面发挥了重要作用。它对国家控制和财富积累的强调为未来的经济理论奠定了基础，无论是支持还是反对其原则。理解重商主义为我们提供了对当代经济实践历史背景的宝贵见解，以及关于政府在经济中角色的持续讨论。