2. Modernisation theory
For a country to be seen as modern, modernisation theorists
say it has to undergo an evolutionary advance in science and
technology which in turn would lead to an increased standard
of living for all
3. Historical background to modernisation
theory
1. Post world war two’s deepening poverty in some
countries
2. Ideological competition from communism
3. Increasing unrest in some countries
4. The above posed a threat to capitalism, and especially the
USA
5. This led to the development of modernisation theory
(mainly by US economists and policy makers)
4. Modernisation theorists aimed to:
a) explain why poorer countries failed to evolve into
modern societies
b) Reduce the spread of communism by presenting
capitalist values as the solution to poverty
Modernisation theory has become
increasingly influential, especially since post
collapse of USSR
7. Modernisation theory – role of the West in
developing countries
i. Western investment in
factories, expertise and
equipment – use loans
from World Bank
(Trickle down)
ii. Western funding to
introduce meritocratic
education (values of
universalism,
individualism and
competition (Hoselitz)
8. Modernisation theory – the West and the
developing countries (continued)
iii Mass media to
disseminate modern
ideas
iv Urbanisation to be
encouraged
9. Criticism of modernisation theory
It is ethnocentric because
(a) it devalues traditional values and social institutions
e.g. extended families
(b) it ignores increasing inequality within and between
countries
(c) it is not a neutral theory as it suggests (it promotes
western capitalist values)
10. Education in developing world
mainly benefits small, local
elites (those at the top)
It assumes unlimited natural
resources for industrial
expansion. (ignores ecological
issues)
11. Many countries seemed to have become stuck at stages and can't move
onto to stage 4 and 5.
Developed countries only reached stage 5 by exploiting countries,
now making it impossible for poorer countries to develop further
High levels of debt and corruption mean some countries struggle to
progress
It is probably not possible for all countries to enjoy mass
consumption. Some countries will need to specialise in primary
products to satisfy our demand for food and raw materials. Because
jobs in primary industries are less well paid, it will probably mean that
they are as wealthy and can not enjoy a mass consumption lifestyle.
12. Dependency Theory
The development of the rich world
was achieved by exploitation of the
developing world. The diagram to the
right very simply shows how resources
are moving from the periphery
(developing) to the core (developed).
That developing countries moved into
production of cash crops (coffee, tea,
cocoa) which meant that they were no
longer subsistent and actually
dependent on developed countries for
food imports and food aid.
That the development of many
countries were slowed or stopped by
the arrival of colonists. He points out
that many countries were richer
before colonisation than after.
13. It has gained popularity because
Many poor countries owe large debts to developed countries or
international banks
The world is now more globalized with many developed country TNCs
operating in and possibly exploiting developing countries.
Developed countries tend to specialize in more value added industries
like banking and manufacturing, widening the development gap even
more. The diagram to the right shows how goods flow to the periphery.
This can increase debt and hamper there own independence and
technological development
Many international organizations are dominated by developed countries
e.g. G20, World Bank, IMF and even the UN Security Council
Many developing countries have now become reliant on NGO help
Population growth is highest in developing countries so many are
suffering from greater overpopulation and are more dependent on
foreign help.
14. World Systems Theory
It asserts that a capitalist world economy has been in existence
since the 16th
century and before his global interdependence did
not exist.
15. A number of countries forged ahead creating a core region
with the result of the world being peripheral. Then a semi-
peripheral area developed to bridge the gap between the
two. The periphery became specialist in the primary sector
while the core became specialist in the higher value
secondary and tertiary sectors. World System theory doesn't
state that countries become stuck in the periphery like
dependency theory, but can develop and therefore reduce
disparities. NICs and the BRICS countries are good example
of semi-peripherial countries fast reducing the disparities
between the have and the have nots.
