The main economic principle behind the practice of mercantilism is the belief that a country's wealth is measured by its stock of precious metals, primarily gold and silver. Mercantilism promotes a favorable balance of trade, emphasizing exportation over importation to accumulate wealth. Governments sought to regulate economies to enhance national strength through tariffs and monopolies, viewing global trade as a zero-sum game where one nation's gain is another's loss. This economic doctrine influenced colonial policies, prompting European powers to establish colonies for resource extraction and market expansion, ultimately shaping the early global economy.