Eli Heckscher's Mercantilism is a classic work in the history of economic thought, economic history and international economics. A pioneer in both economic history and trade theory, Heckscher brought a unique breadth to this study. Covering all of the major European countries, the book explores the content and significance of mercantilist ideas over nearly two centuries. Acknowledging the difficulties involved in defining mercantilism, Heckscher nonetheless succeeded in identifying a set of its key characteristics. Now available for the first time in many years, Mercantilism remains singularly relevant to a world preoccupied with maintaining its trading order. Hecksher's full text, notes and supporting material are supplemented by a new introduction by Lars Magnusson which discusses the origin, content and impact of the book.

    PREFACE INTRODUCTION: THE ARGUMENT I: THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND II: THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE TOLL SYSTEM AND THE EFFORTS TO OVERCOME THE CONFUSION 1. INTRODUCTION 2. ENGLAND 3. GERMANY Ill: THE STRUGGLE AGAINST LOCAL DISINTEGRATION IN OTHER SPHERES 1. INTRODUCTION 2. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 3. COINAGE 4. OTHER SPHERES IV: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHANGE FROM MUNICIPAL TO NATIONAL POLICY V: THE INTERNAL REGULATION OF INDUSTRY IN FRANCE 1. THE LEGAL VICTOR Y OF THE STATE OVER PARTICULARISM 2. THE GILDS AS THE PRINCIPAL AGENT IN THE REGULATION OF INDUSTRY 3. THE ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY OF THE STATE. THE PAR -LIAMENTS 4. THE CONTENTS OF THE REGULATIONS. THE REGLEMENTS 5. THE APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM IN PRACTICE 6. THE FISCAL SIDE OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY 7. THE PRIVILEGED INDUSTRY: MANUFACTURES FRENCH RESULTS COMPARED WITH THE ENGLISH 8. RURAL INDUSTRY 9. ATTEMPTS A T REFORM IN THE I8TH CENTURY. THE POSITION AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE REVOLUTION VI: THE INTERNAL REGULATION OF INDUSTRY IN ENGLAND 1. COMPARISON WIT H THE CONTINENT 2. UNIFIED REGULATION: ELIZABETH'S STATUTE OF ARTIFICERS AND ITS ORIGINS 3. THE GILDS AND RURAL INDUSTRY 4. THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, THE PATENTEES AND THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT 5. THE ESSENCE OF THE ECONOMIC REGULATIONS 6. THE ANTAGONISM TO MONOPOLIES AND THE COMMON-LAW COURTS 7. THE DECAY OF THE INDUSTRIAL CODE VII: FOREIGN TRADE AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATION 1. INTRODUCTION: NATIONAL UNIFICATION 2. MEDIEVAL DEVELOPMENT 3. COUNTRIES WITH STATE ENTERPRISE 4. THE NETHERLANDS 5. ENGLAND: THE REGULATED COMPANIES 6. ENGLAND: THE JOINT-STOCK COMPANIES 7. ENGLAND UNIFICATION 8. ENGLAND: FURTHER ASPECTS OF STATE INFLUENCE VIII: THE EXECUTORS OF MERCANTILIS

    Biography

    Eli F. Heckscher, Introduction by Lars Magnusson