What effect did mercantilism have on European politics?

Mercantilism significantly influenced European politics by fostering competition among nations for resources and markets, leading to colonial expansion and Imperialism. Governments adopted protectionist policies to boost national economies, which often resulted in conflicts and wars over trade routes and territories. This economic doctrine also strengthened state power, as monarchs centralized authority to control trade and industry, ultimately shaping the modern nation-state system. The focus on accumulating wealth through trade and colonization contributed to the rise of powerful empires and altered international relations in Europe.