Global Capitalism, Dutch Imperial Oil. The Dordtsche Petroleum Maatschappij and the national prestige of developing a Netherlands-Indies oil industry, 1877-1911- (original) (raw)

This paper explores the intersection of Dutch imperial ambitions and private entrepreneurship in the formation of the oil industry in the Netherlands-Indies during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Focusing on the Dordtsche Petroleum Maatschappij (DPM) and its founder, Adrian Stoop, the study unveils how national prestige, ethical politics, and racial dynamics shaped colonial practices and economic motivations. Through a chronological account of Stoop's career and the DPM's evolution, the research highlights the role of global networks and capital in the interplay between state interests and private enterprise, suggesting that these themes remain relevant in understanding postcolonial relations.