2016/01/01 by Wim Broekaert · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Engineering · #Classical Antiquity Studies #Historical Economic and Legal Thought #Law, Economics, and Judicial Systems #Freedman #Agency (philosophy) #Database transaction #SWORD #Position (finance) #Business #Independence (probability theory) #Collaborative network #Political science #Law #Sociology #Engineering #Computer science #Finance #Social science
paper · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198748489.003.0011
openalex publication_date 2016/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
This chapter analyses the role of freedmen in the economic network of their former owner. It argues that the specific social and legal position of freedmen brought both the freedman and his patron certain economic advantages: using the freedman as an agent reduced risk for the patron, and provided the freedman with ready access to capital and to the business network of his patron. There were various models along which freedman agency could take shape, with varying degrees of independence, but the bottom line is that, by working in close collaboration, freedmen and their former owners reduced transaction costs and enhanced chances of success.