Skip to main content
mercantilistic

mercantilistic

8.6
Supporting trade and government rules to make a country richer
  • adjective
  • /ˌmɜr.kənˈtɪl.ɪs.tɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mercantilista
  • For years now, we have been operating on an unsustainable platform of corporate subsidies, non-free market policies, and government support and stagnation in unsound financial vehicles in a mercantilistic economy.

Examples

  • Now, the Japanese view U.S. actions as bullying, and American critics interpret Tokyo's policies as mercantilistic.

    Academic text (1995)
  • There was also a huge political shift in how we thought about economic power, money, and profit (which may be a consequence of shifting from mercantilistic thought to capitalistic thought, but I have reservations about that).

    Blog text (32)
  • In this sense, cultural synchronization with the United States' media system, specifically cable television, has been legitimated by the spreading of a profit-oriented, mercantilistic, and consumer culture.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Critics argue that the government's new trade policies are mercantilistic, aiming to protect local industries rather than promote free trade.

  • The country's mercantilistic approach to foreign trade has sparked debates about its long-term economic sustainability.

  • Many economists believe that a mercantilistic mindset can lead to increased tariffs and trade barriers that hinder global commerce.

Synonyms

mercantilist
vsmercantilistic
  • Formal
1 8.7

Relating to the belief that a country gets richer by controlling trade

is used for practical focus on trade, profit, and commercial advantage

Surface Forms

mercantilistic positive

Morphology

mercantilistic = mercantilism (transparent) = mercantile + istic

Direct adjectival formation meaning 'relating to mercantilism' via the common pattern of forming -istic adjectives from -ism nouns.

Etymology

Mercantilistic comes from mercantile, built on the root merc- meaning 'trade' or 'buy and sell', and you can see the same root in merchant and market. So, mercantilistic describes a way of thinking or a policy that puts trade and profit first.