Concentrated Corporate Power in Food Systems & Why it Matters

In this talk, political economist Jennifer Clapp (University of Waterloo) explores growing corporate concentration that has become a dominant trend in food systems, with a special focus on the farm inputs sector. The talk highlights the complex drivers of concentration as it has unfolded over the past century, as well as the types of power that concentration confers to the dominant firms in the agrifood sector. The social and ecological impacts of corporate power, and the kinds of policy responses that are required to address them, are also considered.

This event is co-sponsored by Duke Campus Farm, Duke Center for International Development, Duke MBA Food & Agriculture Club, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Nicholas School of the Environment, Office of Climate and Sustainability, and World Food Policy Center at the Sanford School of Public Policy.

Part of the UPEP Environmental Institutions Seminar Series, organized by the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability and the University Program in Environmental Policy (UPEP), a doctoral degree program jointly offered by the Nicholas School of the Environment and Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University.