Throughout Catherine's reign she tried to find a balance between liberal political economic ideas in the tradition of Adam Smith, and the strong regulation started by Peter I. She preferred hired labor in industry, lowered internal tariffs and custom duties, and did not support monopolies.
Sepanjang kekuasaan Catherine, ia mencoba untuk menemukan keseimbangan antara pandangan ekonomi poitik liberal menurut tradisi Adam Smith dan regulasi kokoh yang dimulai oleh Peter I. Catherine memilih mempekerjakan tenaga kerja di bidang industri, menurunkan tarif internal beserta bea masuk, dan tidak mendukung monopoli.