How does mercantilism view the relationship between nations and their wealth?

Mercantilism, as an economic doctrine that dominated Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries, fundamentally asserts that wealth is a finite resource. This perspective leads to the belief that nations are in competition to acquire as much wealth as possible, primarily through the accumulation of precious metals like gold and silver, and through a favorable balance of trade.

Under mercantilism, a nation’s wealth directly translates to its power and influence on the global stage. This competitive acquisition is why nations would seek to increase exports while minimizing imports to ensure that wealth remains within their borders. The notion that wealth is finite encourages a zero-sum view of economic interactions where one nation's gain is perceived as another nation's loss. Therefore, the principle that wealth must be competitively acquired accurately reflects how mercantilism views the relationship between nations and their wealth.