Mercantilism is an economic system and policy dominant in Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries that focuses on increasing a nation's wealth and power by strict government regulation of the economy. It aims to accumulate monetary wealth, especially gold and silver, by maximizing exports and minimizing imports to achieve a favorable balance of trade. Mercantilist policies often include tariffs, subsidies, and restrictions on imports, as well as colonial expansion to secure resources and markets. The system views national wealth as finite, promoting economic nationalism to strengthen the state's power at the expense of rival nations.
