When Companies Rule: The Past, Present and Future of Corporate Power
Date and Time
Nov 11, 2026 6:00 pm
Location
450K
450 K St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001
Nov 11, 2026 6:00 pm
450K
Author Maha Rafi Atal and journalist Katie Benner discuss the 400-year history of corporate power — and what it means for the world today.
Corporations have never been more powerful. They shape our politics, our economies, and our daily lives in ways that can feel both overwhelming and new.
To mark the publication of When Companies Rule, author Maha Rafi Atal joins journalist Katie Benner in conversation about the deep history of corporate power from the East India Company to Amazon, and what it means for workers and communities today.
Drawing on historical research and investigative reporting, Atal argues that we have fundamentally misunderstood what makes corporations powerful, and that getting the history right is essential if we are to hold powerful companies accountable today.
Light refreshments will be served.
