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The Dutch East India Co was richer than Apple, Google, Facebook combined (2017)

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Re: The Dutch East India Co was richer than Apple, Google, Facebook combined (2017)

#11

Post by consp »

xeeeeeeeeeeenu wrote: post #2

Dutch East India Company had its own colonies and army. Practically speaking, it was a branch of the Dutch government, so comparing it to the contemporary companies doesn't make much sense.

There are several companies working, especially in the middle East and Africa, who have private armies (sometimes naively called security companies). The comparison hold up here. And until the government took possession of the company in the early 19th century, it was controlled by it's board, not the government. So yes, it was a company. Sanctioned by, but not reporting to, the government.

Re: The Dutch East India Co was richer than Apple, Google, Facebook combined (2017)

#12

Post by caymanjim »

garmaine wrote: post #5
black-tea wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Practically speaking some of today's big companies are branches of the government too.

Outside of company towns in a few industries, and maybe some multi-national resource extraction companies that operate in lawless areas, how is this true?

There aren't too many, but Saudi Aramco, Statoil (until 2007, when it became the multinational Equinor), China Petrochemical, and a few other giant corporations exist (or in the case of Statoil, recently existed). Corporations wholly owned by nations. I think that qualifies.

Although I believe the parent was perhaps making a cynical comment about how e.g. Lockheed is basically a branch of the US military.

Re: The Dutch East India Co was richer than Apple, Google, Facebook combined (2017)

#13

Post by black-tea »

debaserab2 wrote: post #9
black-tea wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Practically speaking some of today's big companies are branches of the government too.

Name one?

Disney is mostly responsible for copyright in the US being extended to ludicrous lengths. They changed the law so they could keep making money.

Also these copyright companies seem to get special treatment by the government. Notice how they are able to use police to "raid" data centres etc.? In the UK a young guy who ran a torrent site was raided by police in the early hours only to be released without charge months later. These companies have special powers in government, hence practically they are a part of the government.

Re: The Dutch East India Co was richer than Apple, Google, Facebook combined (2017)

#17

Post by oldFrisco »

So does that, somewhat, imply that New Amsterdam was something of a Dutch expat's whirlpool for former FAANG tech workers?

Like, working as an employee for The DEIC meant you gained safe access to the best naval pipeline operating relays that served to convey those "In The Know" to The New World?

...and then, once they got some skin in the game, maybe they could stick their finger in the pie, and operate side hustles, involving trade or travel?

Seems like if this were true, Old Amsterdam might be today's San Franciso. But, if San Francisco is Amsterdam, where's tomorrow's New York?

Maybe it's a moon base? Perhaps a Martian colony?

Re: The Dutch East India Co was richer than Apple, Google, Facebook combined (2017)

#18

Post by kmlx »

black-tea wrote: post #13
debaserab2 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Name one?

Disney is mostly responsible for copyright in the US being extended to ludicrous lengths. They changed the law so they could keep making money. Also these copyright companies seem to get special treatment by the government. Notice how they are able to use police to "raid" data centres etc.? In the UK a young guy who ran a torrent site was raided by police in the early hours only to be released without charge months l…

disney is a publicly traded company. i own stock in disney :)

Re: The Dutch East India Co was richer than Apple, Google, Facebook combined (2017)

#19

Post by antt »

amelius wrote: post #10
xeeeeeeeeeeenu wrote: post #2

Dutch East India Company had its own colonies and army. Practically speaking, it was a branch of the Dutch government, so comparing it to the contemporary companies doesn't make much sense.

Another difference is that slavery was not an issue for them.

Yes, imagine how much more efficient Microsoft and Apple would be if they could hire slaves directly instead of having to rely on warlords in Africa to do it for them.

Re: The Dutch East India Co was richer than Apple, Google, Facebook combined (2017)

#20

Post by dymbo »

caymanjim wrote: post #12
garmaine wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Outside of company towns in a few industries, and maybe some multi-national resource extraction companies that operate in lawless areas, how is this true?

There aren't too many, but Saudi Aramco, Statoil (until 2007, when it became the multinational Equinor), China Petrochemical, and a few other giant corporations exist (or in the case of Statoil, recently existed). Corporations wholly owned by nations. I think that qualifies. Although I believe the parent was perhaps making a cynical comment about how e.g. Lockheed is basically a branch of the US military.

Statoil became Equinor in 2018, not 2007. Also, Equinor is still largely owned by the Norwegian government (67% as of 2017)
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