Empire, Incorporated: British Colonialism and Corporations
Colonialism: Empire, Incorporated is Philip Stern’s history of how corporations shaped British colonial expansion and administration. It traces their role across four centuries and multiple continents, examining the blurred boundary between corporate power and the state.
At a glance
- Reframes corporations as central actors in British colonial expansion, rather than merely commercial partners to sovereign states.
- Covers corporate activity across four centuries and multiple continents.
- Explores how corporate authority mixed public and private power, and how its colonial legacies remain relevant to debates about corporate influence.
Often bought together
Pros and cons
Pros
- Offers a broad historical scope for readers interested in the institutional and commercial forces behind British colonialism.
- Connects the history of empire with continuing questions about the relationship between corporations and the state.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Belknap Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 22 September 2025 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 408 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0674299299 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0674299290 |
| Weight listed | 408 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.97 x 2.54 x 20.96 cm |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers of British imperial history and colonialism.
- Those interested in corporate power, political economy and the history of the state.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a narrowly focused account of one company or a practical guide to modern corporate governance.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
60% 60% - 4 stars
28% 28% - 3 stars
7% 7% - 2 stars
5% 5% - 1 star
0% 0%
Aggregate ratings lean positive, with five- and four-star categories accounting for most ratings, while some lower-star ratings indicate that experiences are not uniformly positive. No written review themes are supplied, so the ratings cannot explain what readers valued or disliked. For readers considering a substantial history of corporate power in British colonialism, the listing’s 408-page length and broad historical scope are useful context, not evidence of reader-specific strengths.
Frequently asked questions
What is Empire, Incorporated about?
It argues that corporations played a leading role in British colonial expansion and administration, shaping claims over territories and peoples across four centuries.
What period and geography does the book cover?
The description presents a history spanning four centuries and multiple continents, from the mid-sixteenth century almost to the present.
How long is this edition?
The listing gives a print length of 408 pages.
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