Historically, different states have various forms of protection of national interests in the world market in different time periods. It is the chosen position that determines the country's trade policy and its importance on the international arena. The most famous are protectionism and free trade. If the first is an attempt to protect the national interests of entrepreneurs, the second assumes complete freedom of action in trade.
Protectionism is the policy of the government of the country with regard to protecting the interests of domestic producers and restricting imports of imported products. In a rigid form, this is expressed in the maximum stimulation of exports and the restriction or prohibition of imports of imports. National industry is protected by imposing high duties on foreign goods. Such a policy was born on the basis of mercantilism.
On the one hand, protectionism is very beneficial for national producers, this allows them to compete with importers and profitable to sell their products. But such a position of the state can lead to the emergence of a monopoly, the deterioration of the quality of the goods. Moreover, sooner or later, foreign trade will begin to decrease noticeably, and the state itself will be isolated. Therefore, often protectionism is replaced by free trade, that is free trade.
The policy of establishing equal conditions for importers and domestic producers often gives positive results. The national economy is becoming more open, and the relationship on the international market is noticeably improving. Analyzing the policies of different countries, we can say that protectionism is not the only sure way to improve its economic situation. The well-being of the state is facilitated by the liberalization of foreign trade, it positively affects both the world community and in each particular country.
Protectionism in Russia appeared in the XVII century, together with the opening of the first private manufactories. Then the king began to receive many complaints from merchants to foreign traders, because of which they could not sell their goods. Alexei Mikhailovich was the first to defend domestic producers, and behind him were the rest of the rulers. It was he who imposed a high duty on foreigners, indicated to them what to do and where to trade, and some products were banned altogether.
The export of Peter I, Elizabeth, Catherine II, Alexander I, Nicholas I, Alexander II, Alexander III was restricted in every possible way. Protectionism is the main form of trade relations of that time. The rulers weakening the patronage of domestic producers were not respected, sooner or later they had to change their views and restrict imports. At the end of the XIX century, this policy led to good results, the position of the Russian industry has significantly strengthened. But the constant intervention of the king in the affairs of the capitalists caused their discontent with the authorities. It is therefore not surprising that many wealthy entrepreneurs supported and even sponsored the opposition side in every possible way.