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, an Associate Professor of History at Duke University, dives into the pivotal role of corporations in British colonialism. He reveals how entities like the East India Company were not just accomplices to empire but key drivers of global expansion. Stern discusses the blurred lines between formal and informal imperialism, along with the frequent failures of corporate ventures. He highlights the paradox of corporate power, intertwined with state authority, and how this legacy continues to shape notions of British identity today.

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.