Graduation Year

2026

Date of Submission

4-2026

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

International Relations

Reader 1

Peter Uvin

Rights Information

2026 Anna Y Behuniak

Abstract

Food is foundational to culture, society and human survival. However, over the past few centuries, food production has become commodified, subjected to the forces of the market and alienated from labour and land. Today, the dominant approach to developing agri-food (agriculture and food) systems has caused a triple-crisis, impacting the well-being of consumers, producers and the planet. This thesis explores alternative approaches to agri-food systems development that counter the dominant paradigm. It asks three core questions: what are the visions guiding these three alternative approaches, how do those visions translate into practice and what does that mean for change. This thesis reviews Harriet Friedmann and Philip McMichael’s food regime framework, outlines three alternative approaches – the right to food, food sovereignty and the social and solidarity economy – and analyzes three examples of those visions in practice. The three cases – the Mid-Day Meal scheme, the 2020-2021 farmers’ movement and the Dharani Cooperative – are all located in India, a country that has deeply experienced the impacts of the three food regimes, has a large rural population and has become an evolving landscape for countermovements. Through this analysis, this thesis comes to the conclusion that in order to pose an effective and sustainable alternative vision to agri-food systems development, approaches should prioritize working together, applying an ecosocial perspective and shifting consumer consciousness.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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