Discussion with Professor Benjamin Selwyn on his new book, Capitalist Value Chains: Labour Exploitation, Nature Destruction, Geopolitics. To debate his work, Dr. Angus McNelly (Department of International Development) will act as discussant.

About the book 

Join us for an exciting talk with Professor Benjamin Selwyn, a leading global development scholar from the University of Sussex, where he will talk about his new book, Capitalist Value Chains: Labour Exploitation, Nature Destruction, Geopolitics. The book explores the hidden realities of Global Value Chains and challenge the mainstream narrative that they are a universal cure for poverty. Instead of focusing on making these chains more "resilient," Professor Selwyn highlights the power of workers' collective action. He will discuss how labor movements can improve pay and conditions within the context of uneven global development, ultimately urging us to envision a world beyond generalized exploitation.

About the speaker

Professor Benjamin Selwyn

Benjamin Selwyn is a professor of international relations and international development at the University of Sussex. He is the author of The Struggle for Development (2017), The Global Development Crisis (2014), Workers, State and Development in Brazil (2012). His latest book, co-authored with Christin Bernhold is Capitalist Value Chains: Labour Exploitation, Nature Destruction, Geopolitics (2025). His most recent publication, with Christin Bernhold is ‘Capitalism’s systemic barriers to environmental upgrading in global value chains’ in Journal of Economic Geography. 

About the Interrogating Development Seminar Series

The 'Interrogating Development' seminar series is organised by the Department of International Development at King's College London. The series examines some of the most pressing issues of development facing global society today, with the authors of new books presenting cutting-edge research on a variety of topics related to development.

The talk will be followed by a wine reception. The event is open to everyone.