We study the many ways in which the world-system unevenly constrains and drives development everywhere, with its persistent structural hierarchies, dependencies, contradictions, and unequal power relations between classes, ethnicities, genders, races, and states. This includes efforts to decolonise development studies itself, overcoming legacies of Eurocentrism and the 'white man's burden'.
For the most fruitful systemic analyses of global capitalism, we encourage being undisciplined by disciplinary boundaries as we represent critical political economy, development studies, economics, history, international political economy, international relations, literature, media studies, political science, sociology, and more.
While many of our members have specific regional specialisations, we are committed to connecting the regional to the global in capitalism as an integrated—but uneven—world-system.
Projects

TNI State of Power Report 2025: Geopolitics of Capitalism
Thanks to DID Impact Funds, Sean Kenji Starrs helped to shape the 2025 title, theme and contents (including Infographics) of Transnational Institute's 13th flagship annual report, on the Geopolitics of Capitalism. Two research group members have also contributed articles to this report, Sean Kenji Starrs on Can China Challenge US Empire? and Rafeef Ziadah on Geopolitics of Genocide.
Publications
Events
12 February 2025 - Book Talk: "Spectre of State Capitalism" with Dr Ilias Alami
The Department of International Development at King's is hosting a book talk with Dr Ilias Alami about his new book with Adam Dixon, "The Spectre of State Capitalism". Dr Ewa Karwowski and Sean Starrs will be joining the event as speakers.
Find out more about this event
27 November 2024 - Book Talk on “Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market” with Adam Hanieh
The Department of International Development and the Global Capitalism Studies Network at King's hosted a book talk with Adam Hanieh about his new book, "Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market". Thomas Purcell, Lama Tawakkol and Sean Starrs will joined the event as speakers.
Projects

TNI State of Power Report 2025: Geopolitics of Capitalism
Thanks to DID Impact Funds, Sean Kenji Starrs helped to shape the 2025 title, theme and contents (including Infographics) of Transnational Institute's 13th flagship annual report, on the Geopolitics of Capitalism. Two research group members have also contributed articles to this report, Sean Kenji Starrs on Can China Challenge US Empire? and Rafeef Ziadah on Geopolitics of Genocide.
Publications
Events
12 February 2025 - Book Talk: "Spectre of State Capitalism" with Dr Ilias Alami
The Department of International Development at King's is hosting a book talk with Dr Ilias Alami about his new book with Adam Dixon, "The Spectre of State Capitalism". Dr Ewa Karwowski and Sean Starrs will be joining the event as speakers.
Find out more about this event
27 November 2024 - Book Talk on “Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market” with Adam Hanieh
The Department of International Development and the Global Capitalism Studies Network at King's hosted a book talk with Adam Hanieh about his new book, "Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market". Thomas Purcell, Lama Tawakkol and Sean Starrs will joined the event as speakers.