This paper is located within 'Development Studies', which is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the changing relation between industrially developed capitalist countries and non-developed countries.

It begins by comparing mainstream and radical perspectives. While the former treat Western models of capitalist modernity including the current neoliberal model as both ideal and achievable for all countries, the latter point to deeply unstable patterns of uneven development across the world's countries caused by the imposition of models of western capitalism. Then, we examine these different approaches in the context of the history of capitalism. Earlier eras of 'world capitalism' including the era of the British Empire and the post World War II Fordist/ USA Empire era are considered. Themes to do with the spectre of slavery and post-colonialism are also considered here. Major emphasis is on development themes central to the contemporary era of neoliberal-led era of capitalist globalisation, US Empire decline, and the spectres of colonialism and slavery.

Finally, we discuss alternatives to Empire and the 'neoliberal model of development'. First, in contrast to Wallerstein's theory of world capitalism which predicts a new era dominated by China; this paper considers the alternative project of 'cosmopolitan democracy' which would signify a movement beyond the age of Empires. Second, we discuss the possibility of a 'democratic socialist model of development' that in contrast to the alt. Right's alternative project of 'regressive nationalism' championed by President Trump, could progressively address uneven development. Third, we discuss how the crisis of the western capitalist project, including western industrial models and forms of knowledge, point towards the need for a cosmopolitan alternative.

This Hamilton campus based paper offers a mixed method approach which includes videoed lectures, ZOOMed live workshops, and on-line forums. A two hour videoed lecture delivered from my desk once a week will focus the two live discussions and the on-line forum. Students can complete the requirements of this paper via flexible combinations of on-line and live participation. Indeed, some students may complete this paper via completely on-line engagement, while others may attend both live discussion groups every week.

Each week's workload will involve listening to the two hour lecture, doing some reading (2 hours?), and about two hours in workshop and/or on-line forums (72? hours).
The two essays assignments are expected to take about 30 hours (15 hours reading, 15 hours writing) each 2 X 30 = 60
Preparation and undertaking of take home test is expected to involve about 12 hours preparation and 6 hours writing =18
This makes a total of about 150 hours, and a weekly average of 12.5 hours.

Please note that these are just rough guidelines. For example, some students who spend more time doing the weekly tasks of reading, listening to lecture, and participating in on-line forums and workshops will find that they need to spend less time researching for assignments and take home test.