Mercantilism from below? Swedish consuls and merchant networks between Naples and Stockholm in the mid eighteenth century

The article examines the relationship between state policy and commercial initiatives within institutions of ancien régime, namely consuls. By exploring case Swedish consulate in Naples mid eighteenth century, it addresses role private actors establishment consulates, authorities’ problems controlling consular network from a distance, not least because specificity local operational contexts. challenges standard interpretation service being subject to an effective government-led promoting expansion merchant marine Mediterranean. Further, suggests considering consuls as régime entrepreneurs particular type, who used their political resources achieve both economic symbolic outcomes, by ­taking pragmatic, micro-­analytical approach economy.