国际经济学

Lecture1-1:the T rade B alance T heory

[贸易差额论]

§1.H istorical B ackground of M ercantilism[重商主义的历史背景] Mercantilism[重商主义]was a school of economics which was prevailing from the16th century to the18th century in western Europe.For catering to the social needs at that time(the period of primitive accumulation of capital资本原始积累时期),mercantilists proposed a set of economic thinking(including trade theory)on behalf of commercial capitalists.Mercantilist trade theory is the earliest trade theory in history.

1.1E conomic background[经济背景]

Appearance of large-scale manual workshops in western European nations in the late period of 15th century caused labor division to break through the bonds of family and clan.The purpose of production turned from self-using to market-selling for money.Money(gold and silver)was very important to the people of that time.This offered an original impetus of commercial activity and international trade.

1.2T echnologic background[技术背景]

Technological progress in the field of ship-building and navigating led to the Great Exploration [地理大发现]in western European nations through the late of15th century to the late of18th century.The Great Exploration brought back tremendous gold and silver to western European nations.Many people wanted to trade with other nations.So,the Great Exploration offered a space arena for international trade.

1.3P olitical background[政治背景]

There were three pairs of serious political conflicts at that time:conflicts between up-rising commercial and industrial capitalists and down-going feudal nobles,conflicts among the big-power nations of Western Europe,conflicts between the big-power nations of Western Europe and their overseas colonies.For conquering the rivals,every party wanted to get enough gold and silver and to build up a strong military force.

Under the above circumstances,mercantilism[重商主义]came into existence,mercantilists[重商主义者]extremely stressed the importance of gold and silver,they were crazy in seeking for gold and silver,the thinking of bullionism[拜金主义]got more and more popular.

Obviously,the trade balance theory is the mercantilist trade theory on behalf of commercial capitalists.

§2.M ain I deas of M ercantilist T rade T heory

2.1M ain ideas of mercantilist theory

[1]“Wealth”is gold and silver,or gold and silver are“wealth”.

[2]The total amount of wealth(gold and silver)in the world is fixed,or can not increase.

[3]Foreign trade is the only way for a nation to get more gold and silver or become rich.

[4]The principle of foreign trade is“sell more and buy less”or“only sell and not buy”.

[5]Foreign trade is a zero-sum game[零和对策].The gain of one nation must be the loss of another.

2.2P olicies advocated by mercantilists

[1]prohibit the outflow of gold and silver because this means the loss of wealth.

[2]promote development of domestic commerce and industry in order to produce more products