Mercantilism: From Classical Empires to Modern Economic Nationalism
The Mercantilist and Economic Nationalist Perspective
1. What is Mercantilism? Definition and Core Perspective
- Mercantilism is a state-centered approach in International Political Economy (IPE).
- It views the economy as a tool for national power and security, not as a neutral system.
- It is based on the idea that international relations are a continuous power struggle.
- It assumes that the international economy is a zero-sum game: one state’s gain is another’s loss.
- Wealth is considered finite, so every
Southern European Welfare Model: Characteristics and Policy Challenges
The Southern European Welfare Model
The Southern European countries must reconcile the demands of the economy with their current systems of social protection. The Southern Model faces several critical challenges:
- Population Aging: This involves the rising demand for specific services and an increasing dependency ratio.
- Labor Market Issues: Low employment rates and persistently high unemployment.
- Changing Family Structures: The rise of single-person households and single parents, compounded by the challenges
Economic Crises and Workers’ Movements (1873–1914)
The Second Industrial Revolution (Late 19th Century)
The Second Industrial Revolution introduced new energy sources, primarily oil and hydroelectricity, and fostered new industries: electrical, automotive, chemical, metallurgy, pharmaceutical, and food processing.
Transformations in Transport and Communication
Significant technological milestones included:
- 1884: Electric Metro Tram.
- 1885: Automobile.
- 1886: Submarine.
- 1890: London Underground expansion.
- 1892: Tractor.
- 1903: Airplane.
- 1912: Transatlantic communication
How Science and Government Shaped British Medical History
The Role of Government Action
Government action was a highly important factor in the development of medicine, particularly from the Industrial Period onwards. For example, the 1848 and 1875 Public Health Acts showed a clear shift in government responsibility for health, as they introduced compulsory laws for sanitation, clean water, and sewer systems. The NHS in 1948, created by the government in response to the Beveridge Report (1942), provided free healthcare for all, which drastically improved
Read MoreGlobal Challenges: Development, Technology, and Conflict Resolution
Global Wealth Distribution and Underdevelopment
Globalization is promoting the production of global wealth, but this increased wealth is not evenly distributed. Underdevelopment is the living situation in those countries that have lagged behind the intense process of modernization experienced by most developed countries.
Root Causes of Economic Divergence
The main cause of this divergence between developed and developing countries has been the failure of labor productivity to increase dramatically
Read MoreThe EU and Its Citizens: Identity, Politics, and Participation
The Complex Relationship Between Europeans and the EU
Europeans have ambivalent attitudes about the EU. While many are generally supportive of the European project and have a European identity above and beyond their national ones, others feel that their voices are not heard within the union, have low levels of trust in the EU, and express skepticism about its direction. This is the reason that some have failed to develop a strong psychological attachment to the EU.
Even as late as the 1980s, European
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