VOC & British East India Co.

A first of several sea days on our way to Mauritius. One of today's enrichment lectures was about the Dutch East India company (the VOC) and the British East India company. Both of them were integral to the exploration and colonization of the world. Not only did they have charters to do trade but they were granted police power, no liability and occasional military back up. The speaker likened this to granting Amazon a monopoly with American support, ability to raise and use an army and navy, and power to negotiate with foreign governments. Move over UPS and DHL. Walmart and other retailers better market through Amazon or we will put you out of business. If Mexico has some businesses that don't want to comply we will send the US military. (Sounds a bit like United Fruit doesn't it?) Maybe we will let Amazon run the Mexican government. Capitalism at its best!Read more