ˈmərkən.ˌtēˌlizəm, ˈmək-, ˈməik-, -n.ˌtīˌl- sometimes -nt ə lˌizəm or -n.tə̇ˌlizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: French mercantilisme, from mercantile + -isme -ism
1. : the spirit, theory, or practice of mercantile pursuits : devotion to commercial enterprise : commercialism
2. : an economic system developing during the centralization of power accompanying the decay of feudalism and intended primarily to unify and increase the power and especially the monetary wealth of a nation by a strict governmental regulation of the entire national economy usually through policies designed to secure an accumulation of bullion, a favorable balance of trade, the development of agriculture and manufactures, and the establishment of foreign trading monopolies — compare autarky , cameralism , capitalism , communism , free enterprise , laissez-faire , liberalism , planned economy , socialism