22 lines
836 B
Markdown
22 lines
836 B
Markdown
<!-- generated: provider=openrouter model=arcee-ai/trinity-large-preview:free date=2026-02-19 source=book-4-chapter-03 -->
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# Balance of Trade Doctrine
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## Definition
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The mercantilist theory that a nation's economic prosperity depends on exporting more goods and services than it imports, thereby accumulating gold and silver through a favourable balance of trade. This doctrine assumes that international trade is a zero-sum game where one nation's gain is another's loss.
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## Source Chapter
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Book IV, Chapter 3
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## Context
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Smith's central target of critique in this chapter, which he argues is based on "national prejudice and animosity" rather than sound economic reasoning. He demonstrates how the doctrine leads to irrational trade restrictions and mutual impoverishment between nations.
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## Economic Domain
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General Theory
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---
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