What do you think of the mercantilists' view of economics?

This is a discussion forum for the April 2024 Book of the Month, "Launchpad Republic: America's Entrepreneurial Edge and Why It Matters" by Howard Wolk and John Landry
David Okolie
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Re: What do you think of the mercantilists' view of economics?

Post by David Okolie »

It's mostly about making money and helping build up a country's wealth, which is awesome. Restricting imports from other nations is part of that.
Kim Jieun
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Post by Kim Jieun »

The mercantilists' emphasis on amassing wealth appears narrow-minded and outdated, as prioritizing sustainable growth and fostering innovation are far more vital in the modern, interconnected economy, where long-term prosperity and progress are key.
aub lamar
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Post by aub lamar »

The mercantilist approach, which prioritizes wealth accumulation, appears narrow-minded and outdated. In contrast, prioritizing sustainable growth and innovation seems far more vital in the modern global economy.
jay johnston
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Post by jay johnston »

The mercantilism economic theory may not be universally applicable, as it requires certain resources and conditions to be effective.
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Ike Chinekwu Godwin
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Post by Ike Chinekwu Godwin »

The mercantilists' view of economics, which focused on accumulating wealth through a positive balance of trade and state intervention, was foundational but flawed. Their zero-sum perspective on trade, where one nation's gain is another's loss, overlooked the benefits of mutual gains from trade and comparative advantage. While their emphasis on exports and accumulating precious metals helped shape early economic policy, it ignored the broader benefits of open markets and economic cooperation. Modern economics recognizes that trade can be mutually beneficial and that excessive state intervention can stifle innovation and growth.
Lakshyaaj J
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Post by Lakshyaaj J »

The main lessons I learned from the book focused on how American laws, culture, and politics promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The book recounts various businesses' stories and illustrates their approach to overcoming challenges. Additionally, it provides a comparison of America's business practices with those of other nations, offering valuable insights.
david lee 11
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Post by david lee 11 »

The mercantilist approach is often criticized for its focus on amassing wealth through trade surpluses and government intervention. The book explains how this strategy resulted in protectionist policies that hindered economic growth by limiting trade and impeding innovation. The entrepreneurs featured in the book, who prioritize open markets and disruptive innovation, starkly contrast mercantilist ideals and argue for more dynamic and adaptable economic systems.
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Parker Ezeribe
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Post by Parker Ezeribe »

Reading through the mercantilists’ material makes one feel as though they are ill-focused on the accumulation of wealth. Competitive sustained growth and enterprise innovation appear to be significantly important in the current integrated global economy.
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