The nationalists believe that closing off an economy to external influences can be beneficial to growth and economic progress. Also the nationalists see companies as elements of state power.Besides, the nationalists believe that closing off an economy to external influences can be beneficial to growth and economic progress. The nationalists also believe that free trade only benefits the wealthiest, most advanced nations.  In head-to-head competition, the advanced industries can easily defeat the less advanced industries. Therefore, infant industries should be protected by the state from foreign competition, or else, they simply perish. This does not mean putting an end to trade with other nations. It means protecting industries that are identified as being infant but crucial to national power.