Capitalism without the capitalist: The joint stock company share and the emergence of the modern doctrine of separate corporate personality

Takes issue with the traditional view and origins of the modern doctrine of separate personality after incorporation, arguing that it is historically untenable. Suggests that in the 18C and early 19C, the act of incorporation did not effect a complete separation of company and members. Argues that the origins of a reified conception of the company are to be found elsewhere, in the emergence of the joint stock company share as an autonomous form of property. Examines the way in which the legal nature of the joint stock company share was redefined during the course of the 19C and the socioeconomic background to this change, and considers the contribution of these developments to the emergence of a 'complete separation' of company and members.