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.

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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

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)

It is in this manner that the mercantile system proposes to enrich the whole country, and to put money into all our pockets by means of the balance of trade.

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

The account at the bank had always been low; and, though a few small bills had been discounted, nothing like a mercantile system of credit had been established.

From The Struggles of Brown, Jones, and Robinson By One of the Firm by Trollope, Anthony