This course introduces students to the nature of economic development under capitalism. There is a large body of literature on the conceptions, histories, and theories of development, which in some way is the history of capitalist development itself. Beginning from the emergence of capitalism in Europe in the 18th century, the modern idea of development has traversed periods of colonialism, freedom struggles, World Wars, and the emergence of the nation-state as the bulwark of development; today, we witness the same idea being redefined by the processes of economic globalization. A grasp of these disparate yet continuous periods in history is a necessity for any student of the social sciences. This course is expected to serve four purposes. The first is to acquaint the students with the historical discussion on the emergence of capitalism, beginning from the declining period of feudalism until the Second World War. Secondly, it would introduce the students to the writings of major theorists in developmental thought. Thirdly, it would discuss the question of backwardness of the developing economies, beginning with the historical context of colonialism through to the contemporary period of globalization. The fourth module will discuss the development experiences of selected developing countries, especially the two largest ones – India and China. It will provide an overview of the colonial experience in the two countries, followed by an analysis of their post-Independence economic policies and trajectories.

This course introduces students to the nature of economic development under capitalism. There is a large body of literature on the conceptions, histories, and theories of development, which in some way is the history of capitalist development itself. Beginning from the emergence of capitalism in Europe in the 18th century, the modern idea of development has traversed periods of colonialism, freedom struggles, World Wars, and the emergence of the nation-state as the bulwark of development; today, we witness the same idea being redefined by the processes of economic globalization. A grasp of these disparate yet continuous periods in history is a necessity for any student of the social sciences. This course is expected to serve four purposes. The first is to acquaint the students with the historical discussion on the emergence of capitalism, beginning from the declining period of feudalism until the Second World War. Secondly, it would introduce the students to the writings of major theorists in developmental thought. Thirdly, it would discuss the question of backwardness of the developing economies, beginning with the historical context of colonialism through to the contemporary period of globalization. The fourth module will discuss the development experiences of selected developing countries, especially the two largest ones – India and China. It will provide an overview of the colonial experience in the two countries, followed by an analysis of their post-Independence economic policies and trajectories.