ABSTRACT

Ever since the Physiocrats and Adam Smith, mercantilism or 'the mercantile system' have been described as the opposite of classical political economy. This view is very much brought into question by the current book. It argues that the sharp distinction between mercantilism and 19th century laissez-faire economics has obscured the meaning, content

chapter 1|20 pages

INTRODUCTORY THEMES

chapter 2|39 pages

DEBATES ON MERCANTILISM

chapter 3|34 pages

THE BIRTH OF A DISCOURSE OF MERCANTILISM

chapter 4|22 pages

SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY DISCUSSIONS

chapter 5|31 pages

A SCIENCE OF TRADE

chapter 7|36 pages

THE OTHER COUNTRIES

chapter 8|7 pages

CONCLUDING REMARKS