Response to Historical GDP/GNP growth data from the 1800s?

Stumbled on your question in a google. I think the idea of GDP may be an anachronism prior to this century. The concept pre-supposes that the objective of the economic function is profit by corporations, partnerships, etc. (For example, you're spouse's work around the house doesn't go it) In prior centuries this wasn't the case. The objective was [something like] increasing family landholdings. Another way of looking at it is to understand that the Proprietary view of owner's equity didn't exist.

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