What is the relationship between mercantilism the navigation laws and English efforts to create an administrative structure for their empire after 1696?

Mercantilism was an economic theory that emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth through trade and maintaining a favorable balance of trade, which heavily influenced English colonial policy. The Navigation Laws were enacted to ensure that trade within the empire benefited England exclusively, mandating that certain goods could only be transported on English ships. After 1696, England sought to strengthen its control over colonial trade and administration by establishing more stringent regulatory frameworks and oversight mechanisms, which were aligned with mercantilist principles. This administrative structure aimed to enhance economic exploitation of the colonies while reinforcing England's dominance in global trade.