> The genesis of the joint-stock company is usually traced to the founding of the English East India Company and the Dutch East India Company around 1600
What? "The earliest records of joint-stock companies appear in China during the Tang and Song dynasties" [1].
The East India bit was invented by modern activists. Even the Muscovy Company pre-dates it in England [2].
> "And while it may appear like a historical quibble [...] You can imagine a very strong and compelling narrative [...] Kings and lords gave way to the Dutch East India Company, which laid groundwork for the Industrial Revolution. Our paper is a bit countercultural"
The implications are fascinating, but it's very difficult to rewrite history even when you have a more correct version.
What? "The earliest records of joint-stock companies appear in China during the Tang and Song dynasties" [1].
The East India bit was invented by modern activists. Even the Muscovy Company pre-dates it in England [2].
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint-stock_company#Early_join...
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscovy_Company