How Governments Shape Global Markets: A Deep Dive Into Mercantilism

Описание: Understanding global trade isn’t just about profit—it’s also about power. In this video, we explore how mercantilism shapes today’s political and business landscape, from tariffs to currency manipulation to the rise of China.

#GlobalManagement #InternationalBusiness #PoliticalEconomy #Mercantilism #tradepolicy

Welcome back to Beyond Profit: A Global Perspective. In this lesson, we build on our previous discussion of liberalism in international political economy and shift to the second major theory: mercantilism. While liberalism emphasizes free trade, interdependence, and absolute gains, mercantilism focuses on national security, strategic industries, political power, and relative gains—who wins more, not just whether everyone wins.

We examine why free trade creates prosperity but also vulnerabilities, especially when strategic resources, critical industries, or currency manipulation are controlled by rival states. You’ll also learn how mercantilism historically shaped global politics, how thinkers like Alexander Hamilton and Frederick List justified protectionism, and why tariff policies often return during periods of nationalism or geopolitical tension.

This video breaks down both domestic strategies (tariffs, subsidies, industrial policy, high-value industries) and international strategies (strategic trade, investment controls, resource security, and autarky). We also analyze recent U.S. tariff policies—Bush, Trump, and Biden—and how they affected the global system, including China’s rapid expansion into Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Students in global management, international business, or political economy will gain a clearer understanding of how power, security, and state intervention shape the global environment you’ll be working in. And for professionals in global markets, this video provides practical insights into how governments influence trade, markets, supply chains, and strategic decisions.

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Dr. Mark Harvey explores the real forces shaping global business—from trade theories and tariffs to geopolitics, power, and the international economy. As a professor of global management and director of the MBA Program at the University of Saint Mary, he breaks down complex ideas like liberalism, mercantilism, and strategic trade so students and professionals can make smarter decisions in a rapidly changing world.

Beyond Profit: A Global Perspective brings together political economy, international business strategy, and global trends in a clear, practical, and engaging format. Whether you're an MBA student or a global professional, these videos help you translate big ideas into real-world insight.