Philip J. Stern

Philip J. Stern, a historian and Duke University professor, delves into the pivotal role of corporations in British colonialism. He reveals how companies, from the East India Company to modern ventures, were integral to governing and expanding empires. By examining the evolving corporate landscape across centuries, he challenges traditional views of state versus corporate power. Stern also discusses the paradox of corporations as public and private entities, highlighting their complex legal origins and revealing surprising motivations behind these colonial enterprises.

Philip J. Stern, a historian at Duke University, offers a fresh perspective on British colonialism, positioning corporations at its core rather than the Crown. He discusses how companies not only drove global expansion but also governed territories, raising intriguing questions about the nature of public and private power. Stern highlights the paradoxes of corporations, the failures of various ventures, and how early modern practices connect to contemporary governance. He also delves into the diverse motives of those promoting colonies, revealing unexpected archival insights.

Quinn Slobodian, a Wellesley College history professor and author of 'Crack-Up Capitalism,' teams up with Philip J. Stern, an associate professor at Duke University known for 'Empire, Incorporated.' They delve into the roles of corporations in shaping governance and democracy, highlighting the East India Company's nuanced history. The conversation unpacks 'archipelago capitalism' and critiques oversimplified narratives of colonialism, examining how imaginative economic theories influence real-world practices and state power dynamics.