This course explores the political economy of agricultural systems within the context of capitalist expansion in the Global South. We will explore the historical impact of global capitalism on traditional agrarian societies, examining how these interactions transformed social and economic structures. We will cover key debates on agrarian change, with a focus on its relation with imperialist and capitalist forces. A central component of this course is the transformation of agriculture—from the rise of capitalism and industrialization to the integration of the Global South into the global economy under colonial dominance. In exploring how capitalism has reshaped agricultural systems, we will address themes like the persistence of small farms, land dispossession, industrialization, food security and justice, the struggles over land and labor, and climate change. Furthermore, the course will aid in evaluating the ramifications of an expanding industrial capitalist agri-food system. We will explore the new circuits of labor and capital, especially those associated with large agribusinesses, and their impact on agricultural communities worldwide. We will develop a nuanced understanding of how these contemporary agri-food systems are being reshaped by capitalist logic, and their connections to broader political-economic processes. An overarching theme in this course will be the role of the state in managing the complexities of agrarian transitions. We will explore how these transitions have influenced the building and unraveling of the developmental state in the Global South, with a special focus on case studies from India and South Korea. We will contrast their divergent approaches and the diverse outcomes that led to. Through a blend of theoretical and empirical studies, students will gain insights into the diverse experiences of capitalist development in the Global South and their implications for current economic and agricultural issues. This course encourages critical engagement and analytical skill development in the context of development economics, food systems and agrarian studies. Farms to Supermarkets: Agriculture and Capitalism