The Great Tech Game Podcast: Geopolitics, Technology, Business and Global Affairs, with Anirudh Suri

The historical factors that contributed to the rise of the United States as a global economic power from 150 to 100 years ago. It identifies the U.S.'s unique geopolitical position, with access to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and a variety of climates and terrains contributing to its agricultural productivity, as key advantages. The role of early settlers, characterized as born risk-takers, and their quest for better opportunities led to a population with a high entrepreneurial spirit. This, coupled with the U.S.'s relative security from foreign threats which allowed for lower military spending and taxes, redirected funds towards entrepreneurial activities. Notably, the transformation of the U.S. from an importer to an exporter of steel by 1900 is highlighted as a significant example of its economic rise. John points to natural endowments, low defense spending, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit as primary drivers behind the U.S.'s emergence as an economic powerhouse. 00:00 The Rise of the U.S. as a Global Economic Power 00:25 The Unique Advantages of the United States 00:56 The Spirit of Risk and Innovation: America's Founding Population 01:32 Economic Prosperity and Physical Well-being in Colonial America 02:05 Strategic Advantages and Low Military Expenditure 02:44 The Industrial Boom: From Steel Importer to Exporter 03:10 The Pillars of America's Economic Ascendancy #USHistory, #EconomicPower, #IndustrialRevolution, #EconomicGrowth, #Innovation, #Entrepreneurship, #AmericanDream, #GlobalEconomy, #HistoricalFacts, #SuccessStories

#TheGreatTechGamePodcast #AnirudhSuri #JohnSteeleGordonFollow Anirudh here: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.in Website: www.anirudhsuri.comBook and Podcast: www.greattechgame.com Book Links:Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri :https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38MyJohn Gordon's Books:1. An Empire of Wealth: Rise of Amer Economy 1607-2000 -https://amzn.eu/d/hXxkzIW2. Hamilton's Blessing: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Our National Debt - https://amzn.eu/d/b4ZteY23. A Thread Across the Ocean: The Heroic Story of the Transatlantic Cable- https://amzn.eu/d/3tdG8Aq4. The Great Game: The Emergence of Wall Street as a World Power: 1653-2000 - https://amzn.eu/d/gHy9wFuJohn Gordon's Website:http://www.johnsteelegordon.com/bio.html

This conversation delves into the concept of 'informal empires' and challenges the notion that these empires feel 'informal' to those under their influence. It argues that historians, particularly in the West, might minimize the impact of informal empires, which, in reality, exert significant control and governance, often through private enterprises rather than state mechanisms. In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri is joined by Phil Stern, professor of history at Duke University, to dive into the history of colonial corporations such as East India Company and what that might teach us about how the current tug of war between nation-states and big tech firms such as Apple and Google might play out.Stern and Suri together delve into the history of joint stock corporations and trading empires of corporations such as East India Company and others. They explore how these joint stock corporations of the 17th and 18th centuries were critical in the rise of colonial empires, but eventually ran afoul of their patrons and political masters. They discuss how the attempt of the British Crown, for example, to regulate the activities of the East India Company played out, and what lessons that holds for today's attempt by countries like the US, India and Europe to regulate Big Tech firms.About Phil Stern: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/philip.stern/Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/)Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)Book Links:Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri : https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My

Phil & Anirudh discusses the parallels between the British Empire, known for its dominance through colonial corporations, and the modern-day geopolitical influence of the United States, highlighting the significant role of major US tech corporations like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Starlink. It delves into the different models of tech geopolitics, comparing the state-led approach of China, the regulatory stance of Europe, and the corporation-driven model of the US. 00:00 Introduction to Geopolitics and Empires00:10 The British Empire: An Incorporated Empire00:34 Comparing the British Empire and the U.S. Today00:44 Tech Geopolitics: Three Models01:11 The U.S. Model: Power of Large Corporations01:33 Corporations in Conflict: The Russia Ukraine Case01:40 Exploring Parallels Between the British Empire and the U.S.02:02 Corporations as a Form of Soft Power02:20 Cultural Imperialism and Corporations02:31 Hard Power of Corporations: The East India Company Case------In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri is joined by Phil Stern, professor of history at Duke University, to dive into the history of colonial corporations such as East India Company and what that might teach us about how the current tug of war between nation-states and big tech firms such as Apple and Google might play out.Stern and Suri together delve into the history of joint stock corporations and trading empires of corporations such as East India Company and others. They explore how these joint stock corporations of the 17th and 18th centuries were critical in the rise of colonial empires, but eventually ran afoul of their patrons and political masters. They discuss how the attempt of the British Crown, for example, to regulate the activities of the East India Company played out, and what lessons that holds for today's attempt by countries like the US, India and Europe to regulate Big Tech firms.About Phil Stern: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/philip.stern/Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/)Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)Book Links:Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri : https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My

Phil delves into the complex and ever-evolving relationship between state powers and private corporations throughout history, underscoring it as a 'tug of war' or 'ebb and flow'. The conversation highlights significant historical moments, such as the transformation of the East India Company from a trading entity to a governing and military power, to draw parallels with today's tech companies like Microsoft, which have expanded beyond their initial functions. It discusses the idea that this relationship does not follow a linear story of dominance but is marked by constant tensions and shifts in power dynamics. 00:00 Introduction: The Tug of War Between State and Private Corporation00:51 Historical Perspective: The Evolution of State and Corporate Relationships02:09 Post World War II: The Emergence of State-Based Politics02:39 21st Century: The Rise of Non-State Forms of Power03:47 The Constant Relationship Between State and Corporations05:05 Colonial Corporations: From Trade to Governance06:02 Modern Tech Companies: The Functional Expansion06:31 Regulation: The State's Response to Corporate Power----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri is joined by Phil Stern, professor of history at Duke University, to dive into the history of colonial corporations such as East India Company and what that might teach us about how the current tug of war between nation-states and big tech firms such as Apple and Google might play out.Stern and Suri together delve into the history of joint stock corporations and trading empires of corporations such as East India Company and others. They explore how these joint stock corporations of the 17th and 18th centuries were critical in the rise of colonial empires, but eventually ran afoul of their patrons and political masters. They discuss how the attempt of the British Crown, for example, to regulate the activities of the East India Company played out, and what lessons that holds for today's attempt by countries like the US, India and Europe to regulate Big Tech firms.About Phil Stern: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/philip.stern/Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/)Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)Book Links:Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri : https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My

The conversation explores the historical dynamics between states and large colonial corporations, particularly through the lens of British colonialism and its regulatory challenges. Phil draws parallels between past colonial enterprises and contemporary big tech firms, focusing on the complexities of regulation, the arguments asserted by corporations against state control, and the evolution of such debates over time. Chapters: 00:27 The Evolution of Colonial Enterprises00:50 The State and Its Competing Interests01:24 The Debate on Company Models01:35 Legal Regulation and Accountability02:15 The Argument Against State Regulation02:29 The Role of History in Colonialism04:37 The Defense of Private Property06:06 The Argument of Indigenous Sovereignty08:58 The Difficulty of Eliminating Colonial Corporations09:14 Venture Colonialism and Big Tech Firms---In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri is joined by Phil Stern, professor of history at Duke University, to dive into the history of colonial corporations such as East India Company and what that might teach us about how the current tug of war between nation-states and big tech firms such as Apple and Google might play out.Stern and Suri together delve into the history of joint stock corporations and trading empires of corporations such as East India Company and others. They explore how these joint stock corporations of the 17th and 18th centuries were critical in the rise of colonial empires, but eventually ran afoul of their patrons and political masters. They discuss how the attempt of the British Crown, for example, to regulate the activities of the East India Company played out, and what lessons that holds for today's attempt by countries like the US, India and Europe to regulate Big Tech firms.About Phil Stern: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/philip.stern/Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/)Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)Book Links:Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri : https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My

Phil delves into the concept of venture colonialism, as detailed in the book 'Empire Incorporated'. It draws a parallel between historical venture capitalists, known as 'adventure capitalists', who invested in exploratory voyages from the 16th and 17th centuries, and the modern venture capital industry. This connection highlights a continuum of investment risks and returns, blending commercial, religious, political, and even philosophical motivations behind such ventures. Venture colonialism, as the discussion suggests, bridges the historical and contemporary, urging a reevaluation of assumptions about colonial enterprises and modern venture capitalism.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Venture Colonialism01:19 Historical Context of Venture Colonialism01:54 Understanding the Concept of 'Adventure' in Colonial Times02:11 Risk and Return in Colonial Ventures02:43 The Role of Companies in Colonial Ventures03:15 Contrasting Venture Colonialism and Venture Capitalism04:03 Motivations Behind Colonial Ventures04:34 Re-evaluating Our Assumptions About Colonial Ventures---In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri is joined by Phil Stern, professor of history at Duke University, to dive into the history of colonial corporations such as East India Company and what that might teach us about how the current tug of war between nation-states and big tech firms such as Apple and Google might play out.Stern and Suri together delve into the history of joint stock corporations and trading empires of corporations such as East India Company and others. They explore how these joint stock corporations of the 17th and 18th centuries were critical in the rise of colonial empires, but eventually ran afoul of their patrons and political masters. They discuss how the attempt of the British Crown, for example, to regulate the activities of the East India Company played out, and what lessons that holds for today's attempt by countries like the US, India and Europe to regulate Big Tech firms.About Phil Stern: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/philip.stern/Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/)Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)Book Links:Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri : https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My#VentureColonialism #EmpireIncorporated #AdventureCapitalists #HistoricalVentures #ModernVentureCapital #InvestmentRisks #CommercialEnterprises #PoliticalMotivations #PhilosophicalInvestments #ColonialHistory #ReevaluatingAssumptions #FinancialReturns #ExploratoryVoyages #MerchantAdventurers #RiskAndReturn

This conversation delves into the concept of 'informal empires' and challenges the notion that these empires feel 'informal' to those under their influence. It argues that historians, particularly in the West, might minimize the impact of informal empires, which, in reality, exert significant control and governance, often through private enterprises rather than state mechanisms. 00:00 Understanding Informal Empires00:56 Influence of Corporations on International Policies01:22 The Role of ExxonMobil in Foreign Policy01:36 Rethinking the Concept of Empire01:46 The Plurality of Jurisdictional Forms in Empires02:13 The British Empire in India: Pre and Post 185702:45 The Complexity of Corporate Entities within Empires03:08 The Constellation of Entities in the British Empire03:43 Chaos Theory and Patterns in Empire Structures03:53 Uncoordinated yet Intentional Movements within Empires04:25 Characterizing the U.S. EmpireIn this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri is joined by Phil Stern, professor of history at Duke University, to dive into the history of colonial corporations such as East India Company and what that might teach us about how the current tug of war between nation-states and big tech firms such as Apple and Google might play out.Stern and Suri together delve into the history of joint stock corporations and trading empires of corporations such as East India Company and others. They explore how these joint stock corporations of the 17th and 18th centuries were critical in the rise of colonial empires, but eventually ran afoul of their patrons and political masters. They discuss how the attempt of the British Crown, for example, to regulate the activities of the East India Company played out, and what lessons that holds for today's attempt by countries like the US, India and Europe to regulate Big Tech firms.About Phil Stern: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/philip.stern/Follow Anirudh here:X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.inWebsite: [www.anirudhsuri.com](http://www.anirudhsuri.com/)Book and Podcast: [www.greattechgame.com](http://www.greattechgame.com/)Book Links:Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri : https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38My

In this episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri is joined by Phil Stern, professor of history at Duke University, to dive into the history of colonial corporations such as East India Company and what that might teach us about how the current tug of war between nation-states and big tech firms such as Apple and Google might play out.Stern and Suri together delve into the history of joint stock corporations and trading empires of corporations such as East India Company and others. They explore how these joint stock corporations of the 17th and 18th centuries were critical in the rise of colonial empires, but eventually ran afoul of their patrons and political masters. They discuss how the attempt of the British Crown, for example, to regulate the activities of the East India Company played out, and what lessons that holds for today's attempt by countries like the US, India and Europe to regulate Big Tech firms.What are the parallels between the British empire and the US empire? How have corporations historically resisted regulation? What tools have they used? How have nation-states or governments leveraged their political power to rein in these private corporations? Will today's tech firms align with or evade geopolitical rivalries? Are we destined for a bi-polar world? What role will India play in these tech-driven geopolitical battles? These are some of the questions Stern and Suri grapple with in this episode.Chapters:01:18 - Intro ends01:18 to 03:41 - A summary about what the entire discussion is going to be around03:45 to 08:23 - Venture Colonialism08:28 to 09:47  - What was different about the corporations formed around the 1600's?09:48 to 11:43  - The early Joint Stock Corporations vs. Merchant guilds11:44 to  13:43  - What are joint stocks and corporations?13:44 to 17:13  - Competition between the European states17:15 to 19:06  - Improvisation in Navigation Technology19:08 to  24:12 - Deep diving into Joint Stock concept, and its implications for society24:24 to 29:15 -  The Tug of War between State and Pvt corporations29:34 to  31:26 - Functions of the state vs corporations31:37 to 33:44 - Institutional Innovations, regulating sovereign function33:55 to 41:50 - Lessons for today: How can Nations regulate private corporations?42:07 to 42:56 - Parallels with companies today43:16 to  45:40 - Parallels between the British Empire and the US Empire today. 45:52 to 52:31  - Could the US govt ever take over Google or FB like the British Crown took over EIC?52:35 to 56:22 - Formal vs informal empires; Oil Empires, Private Empires; The US Empire: A Private or Public Empire?57:01 to 1:04:02  - Is today's US-China rivalry like the British-French rivalry of yesteryear? | Will today's tech firms align with or evade trends in geopolitical rivalries? |The Case of India: Are we destined for a bipolar world, again?1:04:06 - Closing remarks: Phil's book and podcast guest recommendations

In Part 2 of this two-part episode of The Great Tech Game podcast, host Anirudh Suri is joined by Joel Mokyr to dig deep into why some societies get rich, creative and successful while others don't. Mokyr describes the uniqueness of the European experience that leads to the Industrial Revolution, and derives key insights to explain how a culture of nonconformism can be encouraged in a society.Mokyr and Suri discuss examples of countries that have unshackled themselves from their past, such as 19th century Japan during the Meiji Restoration and the East Asian tigers. They also explore how India can reverse its brain drain and become a tech nation, and not remain just a talent nation.Mokyr highlights the high levels of inequality being driven by the tech economy today, and both draw parallels with pre-WWI Europe and its experience with vast inequality driven by industrial capitalism. Jumping to the modern era, they discuss whether AI represents a new revolution in knowledge, or whether it is just hype.They debate the question of whether AI will be a great equalizer or whether it will create more tech monopolies? Mokyr highlights the return of the Single Entrepreneur, comparing and contrasting the Musks, Bezos, Gates and Zuckerbergs of today with the Carnegies, Rockefellers and Morgans of the Gilded Age.The episode ends with Joel Mokyr’s book and podcast guest recommendations.*About the Podcast*The Great Tech Game podcast, with Anirudh Suri, brings you smart, insightful, big picture conversations on geopolitics, technology, business, and history with the world’s top thinkers and leaders. #AnirudhSuri: Managing Director, India Internet Fund; Author, The Great Tech Game: Shaping Geopolitics and the Destinies of Nations (HarperCollins, 2022); and Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Follow Anirudh here: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/anirudhsuriLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudhsuri/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anirudh_suriFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnirudhSuri.in Website: www.anirudhsuri.comBook and Podcast: www.greattechgame.com Book Links:Anirudh Suri:The Great Tech Game by Anirudh Suri : https://amzn.eu/d/1Su38MyJoel Mokyr:Website: https://economics.northwestern.edu/people/directory/joel-mokyr.htmlBio: Joel Mokyr is Professor of Economics and History at Northwestern University. Joel Mokyr conducts research on the economic history of Europe, and specializes in the period 1750-1914. His current research is focused on the understanding of the economic and intellectual roots of technological progress and the growth of useful knowledge in European societies, as well as the impact that industrialization and economic progress have had on economic welfare.He is the author of The Lever of Riches: Technological Creativity and Economic Progress, The British Industrial Revolution: An Economic Perspective, The Gifts of Athena: Historical Origins of the Knowledge Economy, and The Enlightened Economy: an Economic history of Britain, 1700-1850. His most recent book is A Culture of Growth, published by Princeton University Press in 2016. In 2006 he was awarded the biennial Heineken Prize by the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences for a lifetime achievement in historical science. In 2015 he was awarded the Balzan Prize for Economic History, awarded once every twenty years. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a foreign fellow of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences.