I agree that cheap labor starves innovation, but the cause of cheap labor is not a lack of a social system that boosts wages. It&#x27;s lots of competitors trying to hire away your employees. The only way this is possible is by making it easier for new firms to enter the market. I&#x27;m not sure about Rome specifically, but in general, merchants and other businesses before the 18th century needed social connections and permission from their lords&#x2F;kings&#x2F;governors before opening a business. A &#x27;corporation&#x27; was originally nothing more than a charter from your government saying you have permission to conduct business.