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Agents, brokerage and Argentinian railways 1880–1905

Author

Listed:
  • Husain, Tehreem
  • Buchnea, Emily

Abstract

This article examines the role of agents and how their brokerage activities influenced the composition, shape and size of Baring’s business networks in Argentinian railways during 1880–1905. Baring was heavily involved in Argentine sovereign and railway financing and relied on trusted agents, who acted as important conduits of information, to manage their business empire. We explore 2700 pieces of correspondence in the form of letters and telegrams to illustrate Baring’s network over time. Studying the case of Argentinian railways, the correspondences reveal the longevity of Baring’s network and agents’ brokerage roles over time in response to changing local and global economic currents. Through this rich qualitative data and network analysis, we contribute to understanding agent’s brokerage and network change over time. By highlighting the role of invisible actors in the form of agents, the article contributes to understanding infrastructure finance, financial globalisation and more generally, the global history of capitalism.

Suggested Citation

  • Husain, Tehreem & Buchnea, Emily, 2024. "Agents, brokerage and Argentinian railways 1880–1905," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 125980, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:125980
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/125980/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mitchell, B. R., 1964. "The Coming of the Railway and United Kingdom Economic Growth," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(3), pages 315-336, September.
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    5. Glotzer, Paige, 2023. "“To Interfere on Their Behalf”: Sovereignty, Networks, and Capital in the Dominican Republic," Enterprise & Society, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(2), pages 374-394, June.
    6. Carlos, Ann M, 1992. "Principal-Agent Problems in Early Trading Companies: A Tale of Two Firms," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 82(2), pages 140-145, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    networks; agents; railways; brokerage; baring;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • N20 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N80 - Economic History - - Micro-Business History - - - General, International, or Comparative

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