...African Journal of History and Culture Vol. 3(5), pp. 65-72, June 2011 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/AJHC ISSN 2141-6672 ©2011 Academic Journals Review A critique of modernization and dependency theories in Africa: Critical assessment J. Matunhu Department of Development Studies, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. E-mail: matunhuj@msu.ac.zw. Accepted 6 April, 2011 The way states and development specialists rationalize how to commit economic resources to development is influenced, to a greater extent by their level of persuasion towards specific development theories. The discourse assesses the influence of modernization and dependency theories on Africa’s development. The conclusion is that both theories have failed to help develop Africa. The discourse pins hope on the African Renaissance theory of development. Key words: Modernization, dependency, rural underdevelopment, African renaissance. INTRODUCTION Africa houses plentiful economic resources. Paradoxically, the continent languishes in poverty as evidenced by high prevalence of famine, disease and ignorance (Buthelezi, 2007). This presentation attributes the poverty to theories of development because the way society deals with underdevelopment is influenced by development theories. The presentation assesses the effect of modernity and dependency theories on Africa’s development and concludes by recommending the adoption of the African Renaissance theory to Africa’s development. In this presentation...
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...and lack of opportunities, self-confidence and self-respect on the part of the poor. (Narayan et al., 2000). Sen (1999) defines poverty as lack of freedom while another dimension view it as interlinked forms of deprivation in the economic, human, political, sociocultural and protective spheres (OECD, 2006).This essay discusses the issue of poverty in Africa from colonial period to present day. The paper also analyses the causes of poverty since colonial era, the poverty alleviation strategies adopted to deal with poverty and propose possible solutions for poverty alleviation. A plethora of case studies will be drawn from several countries to substantiate the claims and insights provides in this paper. 2.0 Poverty, colonialism and Colonial Legacy Poverty is attributed to colonial legacy and how colonial rule marginalized the Africans in economic participation. In Africa, poverty is attributed to the economic activities of the colonial masters which exploited labour, natural resources and expropriated the continent while there was little plough back to citizen nations. A classical study by (Rodney, 1972) “How Europe Underdeveloped...
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...Critically Compare and Contrast Two Sets of the Following Theories of Development: Modernization, Structural Change and Dependency Since the end of World War 2 international development has become increasingly endeavoured upon by academics and politicians alike. The impulse to further understand growth and development was largely due to the dismantling of the European empires following the war. Nations now freed from their colonial ties strived towards a modern status as economies and societies. These Third-World nations were in search of a development model to stimulate their advance towards a modern and affluent society; this was mirrored globally, for various reasons ranging from economic self-interest to genuine humanitarianism. Development institutions such as the United Nations and International Monetary Fund were created, both in 1945, to aid international cooperation and economic development. The prominent theories of development have long been debated. Adelman (2001, p 103) said “no area of economics has experienced as many abrupt changes in its leading paradigm since Wold War 2 as economic development”. The two competing perspectives of development theory I shall compare and contrast are the Modernization and Dependency theories, both will also be applied to Latin-America. Modernization Theory dominated developmental economics in the 1950’s and 60’s. It explains underdevelopment is a result of traditional society systems, caused by internal problems within the...
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...Abstract Literature relating to business culture focuses on a regional view rather than a situational one. Business habits are considered to be driven by local culture. The researcher was motivated to question this assumption by considering the attitudes of business managers in starkly different environments but similar business constraints. Does a mid-sized business in USA think very differently from a mid-sized business in a developing country? Are the process and human resource management orientations similar or different? Developing countries are rife with low infrastructure capability, lack of government support and competitive market while developed countries can lobby for support in their bid to capture large markets. A democratic business owner in a fundamental environment will bow down to local needs at the time of recruitment but allow freedom within the workplace for ideas to flow. By the same token, a highly democratic country may have businesses that demand blind faith in the management among the employees. The researcher proceeded to conduct a survey of similar sized firms operating in USA and Iran. One country stands for freedom of expression while the other is known for religious fundamental beliefs. A survey of managers was carried out in a bid to understand attitudes with respect to strategy, communication, technology and human resource management. The finding was that while local culture creates a certain competitive environment, the running...
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...International Comparative Trends in Collective Bargaining Susan Hayter Collective Representation, Coverage & Scope As Figure 1 shows, trade union membership has declined in many countries. There are a number of reasons for this. First, structural changes in labour markets, involving a decline in the share of manufacturing in total employment and increase in the share of services, eroded the traditional membership base of trade unions. In some regions, the dramatic decline in public sector employment as a result of structural adjustment and privatization had a detrimental effect on union membership. Second, legal reforms introduced in some countries prohibited compulsory unionisation (closed shops) and encouraged individual contracts. Third, the increase in international competition as a result of globalization undermined the bargaining power of trade unions and strengthened the hand of management. Finally, the growth of non-standard forms of employment, for example part-time or fixed-term contracts put a brake on union Trade union membership has declined in many countries. Collective bargaining is a key means for improving wages and conditions of work and for regulating employment relations. Integration into global markets has intensified competition. In response, enterprises sought to be more flexible by introducing new forms of work organization and changing their employment practices. These changes present important challenges for collective bargaining. Collective bargaining...
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...development is the end result of the interactions between various physical, technological, economic, social, cultural and political institutional factors (Singh, 1999). The thrust of this paper is however, not on definition of terms but a chronicle of the modernization theory, its basic tenants and its critical appreciation in the development context of the third world countries. In development discourse the modernization movement of the 1950s and 1960s is an economic theory that is rooted in capitalism. The concept of modernization incorporates the full spectrum of the transition and drastic transformation that a traditional society has to undergo in order to become modern (Hussain et al., 1981). Modernization is about Africa following the developmental footsteps of Europe. According to modernity, policies intended to raise the standard of living of the poor often consist of disseminating knowledge and information about more efficient techniques of production. The modernization theory assumes a total change of policies intended to raise the standard of living of the poor often consist of disseminating knowledge and information about more efficient techniques of production. For instance , the agriculture modernization process involves encouraging farmers to try new crops, new production methods and new marketing skills (Ellis and Biggs, 2001). In general, modernization led to the...
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...SABMilier Aidan McQuade South African Breweries grew on the basis of its strength in developing markets, first in Africa and then in other parts of the world. Following pressure from investors to acquire a brewery in a developed market it acquired Miller in 2002 to become SABMiller and the second largest brewer by volume in the world. This case study explains the business's development. It shows how the strategy has changed with time and circumstances and provides the opportunity to consider its future at both the corporate and competitive strategy levels. ••• Introduction In 2007 SABMiller, the renamed South African Breweries following its acquisition of the American brewer Miller in 2002, had become the second largest brewer by volume in the world. It still vied with Anheuser- Busch. its principal competitor; having dropped back to third place in 2005 it reclaimed the number two position following its conclusion of a US$7.8bn (~6.2bn) deal to take over Grupo Empresarial Bavaira, South America's second largest brewer. In the 2006 annual report SABMiller outlined four strategic priorities upon which its success depended: 'Creating a balanced and attractive global spread of businesses .... Developing strong relevant brand portfolios in the relevant market .... Constantly raising the performance of the local businesses . . . . Leveraging our global scale.' This statement of strategy may be seen as a synthesis of the learning the company has developed...
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...INTRODUCTION Demographic transition (DT) refers to the transition from high birth and death rate to low birth and death rates as a country develops from a pre-industrial to an industrialized economic system. This is typically demonstrated through a demographic transition theory. The theory is based on an interpretation of demography history developed in 1929 by the American demographer Warren Thompson (1887–1973) Thompson observed changes, or transitions, in birth and death rates in industrialized societies over the previous 200 years. Most developed countries are in stage 3 or 4 of the model; the majority of developing countries have reached stage 2 or stage 3. The major (relative) exceptions are some poor countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and some Middle Eastern countries, which are poor or affected by government policy or civil strife, notably Pakistan Palestinian territories Yemen and Afghanistan .Adolph Landry of France made similar observations on demographic patterns and...
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...Oliver4 and Biereenu-Nnabugwu, Makodi5 Department of Student Affairs, Covenant University, P. M. B. 1023 Ota, Nigeria. Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025 Awka, Nigeria. 3 Department of Business Management, Covenant University, P. M. B. 1023 Ota, Nigeria. 4 Department of Religion and Human Relations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria. 5 Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P. M. B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria. 2 1 Accepted 6 August, 2013 This study is designed to address social problems associated with Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and implications they portend on studentship in a Private Christian Mission University, Southern Nigeria. It tries to find out how the engagement of ICT devices results in social vices on campus. Drawing from recorded data between 2006 and 2012 academic year, the study reported six ICT tools associated with eight social- ills. Relying on raw data of 900 students disciplined within this period, the study reported that 187 students were expelled while 46 were advised to withdraw due to their involvement in ICT-related vices. Moreover, the study shows that 78 students served 1 year suspension while 589 students were suspended for one month. Findings of the study also revealed loss of all student rights infinitely for expelled students, nearly all rights for those advised-to-withdraw and all...
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...growth rate of 11.1 % in foreign arrivals from the previous year. That accounted for 6,4 million foreign tourists (South African Tourism, 2003). In 2003 it grew with another 1.2 % to 6,5 million tourists (South African Tourism, 2004), and in 2004, the number had increased to more than 6,8 million foreign tourists that visited South Africa (Geldenhuys, 2005:10). This shows that South Africa is becoming a popular travel destination among tourists. South Africa is a diverse country with many unique cultures and historical significances. South African Tourism have established that tourists experienced the hospitality and friendliness of the South African people as the most satisfactory of their visit in South Africa (Geldenhuys, 2005:10), and in a recent international survey done by American Express (Geldenhuys, 2005:10), South Africa was rated as the second-cheapest destination. Attractions such as Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Garden Route, Namaqualand, the Cradle of Human Kind, the Kruger National Park, the Drakensberg Mountains, and Soweto are just some of the South African examples (South African Tourism, 2005a). The towns and cities of South Africa such as Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town also serve as attractions (South African Tourism, 2005b). There are also various small towns that are popular among tourists (South African 1 Tourist, 2005c). They normally have significant historical, cultural, or natural attractions that are of value to tourists...
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...Factors responsible for the failure of Education Sector in Pakistan Table of Contents ACKNOWLDGEMENT4 ABSTRACT5 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION6 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW11 CHAPTER 3: METHEDOLOGY21 CHAPTER 4: RESULT AND ANALYSIS28 REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................43 APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................45 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my gratitude to all those who helped me during the whole of my project. I gratefully acknowledge the help of my supervisor, Ms Zehra Raza, who has offered me valuable suggestions in the academic studies. In the whole of final project, she has spent much time to help me and provided me with inspiring advice. Without her enduring advice, insightful criticisms and expert supervision, the completion of this project would not have been possible. In the end, my gratitude also extends to my family and friends who have been assisting, supporting and caring for me all of my life. ABSTRACT The research reported in this thesis was on “Factors responsible for the failure of Education Sector in Pakistan”. The purpose of research was to study the impact of education sector on the society and the main issues which were prevailing in the country now-a-days. The secondary data was collected by consultation of literature in the libraries...
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...institutional quality “trumps” geography or trade as an explanation for growth (Rodrik, et al. 2002). To meet the challenge of development countries need two distinct and not necessarily complementary sets of institutions: (i) those that foster exchange by lowering transaction costs and encouraging trust, and (ii) those that influence the state to protect private property rather than expropriate it. 1 The first set of institutions includes contracts and contract enforcement mechanisms, commercial norms and rules, and habits and beliefs favoring shared values and the accumulation of human capital. Among the second set of institutions are constitutions, electoral rules, laws governing speech and education, and legal and civic norms. Today’s underdeveloped countries must acquire these institutions under particularly difficult conditions -- in a global market competing with already developed countries (North 2002). Although there may be some advantages to 1 I use the term development to mean countries which have achieved a level of per capita income that puts them in the World Bank’s high income category (above $9,266 in 2000), as well as high scores on selected social indicators (life expectancy at birth of over 70 years, infant mortality rate of less than 10...
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...INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Definition of international business International business involves commercial activities that cross national frontiers. It concerns the international movement of goods, capital, services, employees and technology; importing and exporting; cross-border transactions in intellectual property (patents, trademarks, know-how, copyright materials, etc.) via licensing and franchising; investments in physical and financial assets in foreign countries; contract manufacture or assembly of goods abroad for local sale or for export to other nations; buying and selling in foreign countries; the establishment of foreign warehousing and distribution systems; and the import to one foreign country of goods from a second foreign country for subsequent local sale. All the basic tools and concepts of domestic business management are relevant to international business (for information on these see the M & E text Management). However, special problems arise in international business not normally experienced when trading or manufacturing at home. In particular: * Deals might have to be transacted in foreign languages and under foreign laws, customs and regulations. * Information on foreign countries needed by a particular firm may be difficult (perhaps impossible) to obtain. * Foreign currency transactions will be necessary. Exchange rate variations can be very wide and create many problems for international business. * Numerous cultural...
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... This was the question Jared Diamond posed in his book Guns, Germs, and Steel. After identifying a point in time when all societies were roughly equal (over 13,000 years ago), Diamond identified the key variables that allowed some societies to develop highly complex, material-rich societies, while others developed at much slower rates. Guns, Germs, and Steel uncovers how Europeans came to dominate every other group on the planet by virtue of their access to what Diamond terms the “Agents of Conquest”: Guns, Germs, and Steel. Jared Diamond’s journey of discovery began on the island of Papua, New Guinea. There, in 1974, a local named Yali asked Diamond a deceptively simple question: "Why is it that you white people developed so much cargo (material goods), but we black people had little cargo (material goods) of our own?" Diamond realized that Yali's question penetrated the heart of a great mystery of human history -- the roots of global inequality. Why were Europeans the ones with all the cargo? Why had they taken over so much of the world, instead of the native people of New Guinea? How did Europeans end up with what Diamond terms the Agents of Conquest: Guns, Germs and Steel? It was these agents of conquest that allowed 168 Spanish conquistadors to defeat an Imperial Inca army of 80,000 in 1532, and set a pattern of European conquest which would continue up to the present day. Diamond knew that the answer had little to do with ingenuity or individual...
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...>>> español INTRODUCTION THEORY OF MODERNIZATION THEORY OF DEPENDENCY THEORY OF WORLD-SYSTEMS THEORY OF GLOBALIZATION A MODO DE COLOFON BIBLIOGRAPHY NOTES 1. Introduction The main objective of this document is to synthesize the main aspects of the four major theories of development: modernization, dependency, world-systems and globalization. These are the principal theoretical explanations to interpret development efforts carried out especially in the developing countries. These theoretical perspectives allow us not only to clarify concepts, to set them in economic and social perspectives, but also to identify recommendations in terms of social policies. For the purposes of this paper, the term development is understood as a social condition within a nation, in which the authentic needs of its population are satisfied by the rational and sustainable use of natural resources and systems. This utilization of natural resources is based on a technology, which respects the cultural features of the population of a given country. This general definition of development includes the specification that social groups have access to organizations, basic services such as education, housing, health services, and nutrition, and above all else, that their cultures and traditions are respected within the social framework of a particular country. In economic terms, the aforementioned definition indicates that for the population of a country, there are...
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