...Examine the debates between modernization and dependency theory. Which one is more compelling? This essay will analyze the definitions of modernisation and dependency theory, the similarities and differences between them and it will evaluate which one is more convincing. Modernization is an imposing theory around many different disciplines for the reason that it attempts to explain how society develops and what variables are involved in the development and how society react to these changes looking at internal factors such as social and cultural structures. As Diana Kendall mentions, "Urbanization accompanied modernization and the rapid process of industrialization." (Kendall 2007) Modernization theory has developed in three different parts; the first part appeared in the 1950s and 1960s, when the dominance of materialistic western, individualist culture and individual achievement became the influential and dominant way of life during this period of time. The second part of modernization theory is part of the “idea of progress” that was accepted in the 1980s with the thought of people themselves could develop and transform their society. The last part of modernization theory takes place in the 1990s and it tries a more neutral approach without being in favor or against western modernization. Rather it attempts to expose the disagreements in the modernization process and to explain the consequences of modernity for individuals in contemporary society (Giddens, 1991a, 1991b)...
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...the industrialized society, our world economical growth was fast. Many scholars and researchers have been trying to understand why the developing nations are still under developed. The modernization and Dependency theories will explain some of our world socio-economic differences between the developing and developed countries. This essay discussed about the major differences between Modernization and Dependency theories, and their impact on the developing nations. Modernization Theory A theory designed to explain the process of modernizing societies. The theory considers the internal factors of development of any country, based on the installation, that the "traditional" countries may be involved in the development the same way as are the developed countries. According to Gavrov (2005), modernization theory endeavors to recognize the social variables, which add to social development and expansion of society, and will attempt to elucidate the procedure of social development. At the same time Gavrov (2005) stated that none of the scientists does not deny the process of modernization of society (the transition from traditional to industrial society), the theory itself has undergone considerable criticism from both Marxists and the representatives of free-market ideas, and supporters of the theory depend on the reason that is a simplified representation of the historical process. According to Tipps (2003) the basic structural changes in this phase of modernity clear four elements: ...
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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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...>>> 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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...Modernization theory is a description and explanation of the processes of transformation from traditional or underdeveloped societies to modern societies. In the words of one of the major proponents, "Historically, modernization is the process of change towards those types of social, economic, and political systems that have developed in Western Europe and North America from the seventeenth century to the nineteenth and have then spread to other European countries and in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to the South American, Asian, and African continents Modernization theory has been one of the major perspectives in the sociology of national development and underdevelopment since the 1950s.Many thinkers wrote about the modernization theory such as David Harrison,Rostow and Daniel lerner.One of the key thinkers in twentieth century Development Studies was W.W. Rostow, an American economist and government official. Prior to Rostow, approaches to development had been based on the assumption that "modernization" was characterized by the Western world (wealthier, more powerful countries at the time), which were able to advance from the initial stages of underdevelopment. Accordingly, other countries should model themselves after the West, aspiring to a "modern" state of capitalism and a liberal democracy. Using these ideas, Rostow penned his classicStages of Economic Growth in 1960, which presented five steps through which all countries must pass to become developed: 1) traditional...
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...Quiz Top of Form Note: It is recommended that you save your response as you complete each question. | Question 1 (1 point) In 2008, nearly 200 million children under age five in poor countries were stunted by a lack of nutrients in their food. More than 90 percent of those children live in: Question 1 options: | a. South America and Asia | | b. Africa and South America | | c. North America and Africa | | d. Africa and Asia | Save Question 2 (1 point) Why might dependency theorists criticize modernization theory? Question 2 options: | a. They would point out that the only way for traditional societies to develop is to shed their traditional ways. | | b. They would argue that modernization theory ignores the fact that markets, if freed from state intervention, will develop any society. | | c. They would point out that traditional societies are typically low income because of a history of colonialism and oppression. | | d. They would assert that traditional societies should model their institutions after the United States if they want to develop. | Save Question 3 (1 point) There is significant income inequality in countries in which of the following regions? Question 3 options: | a. The industrial world. | | b. The developing world. | | c. Both the developing AND industrial world. | | d. Income inequality exists between nations, not within nations. | Save Question 4 (1 point) The value...
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...ATHROPOLOGY OF GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT [HANTH 107] INTRODUCTION Defining Key Concepts Gender is not about women as most people think. Gender is about both men and women. Gender is a set of characteristics distinguishing between male and female, and is a result socio – cultural construction, it describes the characteristics that a society or culture delineates as masculine or feminine. Thus the term gender has social, cultural and attitudinal connotations. Gender is a set of characteristics distinguishing between male and female, and is a result socio – cultural construction, it describes the characteristics that a society or culture delineates as masculine or feminine. Thus the term gender has social, cultural and attitudinal connotations. Sex on the other hand refers to the biological differences in chromosomes, hormonal profiles as well as internal and external sexual organs or genitalia.The term sex since classical times has been used to designate matters related to biological and anatomical makeup of a person. Thus while ones’ sex as male or female is a biological and universal fact that is however not the same with gender since sex is tends to be similar across all cultures while gender varies one society to another. Sex relates to the biological characteristics that categorise someone as either female or male; whereas gender refers to the socially determined ideas and practices of what it is to be female or male. Patriarchy - Systemic societal structures that institutionalise...
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... Case: Country A “The Agrarian” Sociology has helped us to understand why different groups of the human race act the way they do, as well as introduces us to other cultures, and different backgrounds. The case study gives a good example of the different roles culture plays in the attitudes of the different groups and how everyday lives are affected. When we look at Case Study A, we must first examine the measurements of underdevelopment, socially, economically and politically. We must also know what defines a undeveloped country and its main theories of underdevelopment. These two theories respectively are the modernization theory and the dependency theory. Almost one half of third world families depend on agriculture to feed there families. One billion of the rural poor live in dangerous conditions. A large percent of the population relys on agriculture for its survival. Agrarian reform is what we are dealing with the case study that involves country A. The availability of land and crop prices play a heavy role here. We have to examine land ownership closely. In some countries only the elite own the land. Others may vary. In these countries like country A we have to take a close look at who owns the land. It has been difficult for these countries to reform due to rural class structures and...
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...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, development is viewed as a gradual transition of society to a strong...
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...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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...Answer: Three main theories: Modernization Theory: developed by Rostow and is broken down into different stages of growth. Development in the first and second world is used as models for development progress in the third world and assumes innovation and development are easily transferred from the first and third World. Criticized for ignoring diversity of experience, cultural factors and unequal relationships between nations. 1. Commercial Modernization (1700-1979) Associated with early commercial functions in mercantile era. 2. Industrial Modernization (1850- mid 1900) Involves the metropolitanization of primate cities in the developing world. 3. Technological modernization( mid 1900 –present) Adopts capitalism, export-led development, and is associated with political democracy. Advocating primate cities in the developing world. Dependency Theory:developed by Andre Gunder Frank (1967) Focus on a political and economical perspective in order to explain lack of development. Dependent development in third world cities. It also divides the power distribution into 3 main categories, the core (first World), Periphery (third world) and semi- periphery in both regions. Development in third world develops with the first world. First world under-develops the Third World by exploiting their raw materials, resources and goods. Inorder for the third world to develop they need to break free from first world and its capitalist agenda. World Systems Theory: Immanuel Wallerstein(1970-1980) ...
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...projects. Broadcasting is used for informing the population about projects, which promotes the advantage of these projects and also recommended that these projects should be used. This model sees communication process as a message going from sender to receiver whereby posters, radio and televisions are used to persuade people. This is whereby Modernization plays a very significant role, where people move from a traditional way of doing things to a different, more technological development and more rapid changing way of life. Mass media are important in spreading awareness of new possibilities and practices. Research has shown that even thou group of public can obtain information from impersonal sources such as radios and television; this information has little effect on behavioral changes. Self-management is seen as the most developed form of participation. This principle implies the right to participate in the planning and production of media context. In all of these, development played a very important part of the movement for a new world information and communication. Modernization Theory in the 1950s and 1960s and fall of the theory in America and Russia were booming economically and ideologically. This is after Stalin’s Five Year Plan and America recuperating after the Great Depression. It was believed that Third World countries could develop if they adhere to modern values and drop traditional ones. Societies could develop if they were exposed to new ideas and technology...
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...growth and development in El Salvador is a school of Modernization. Among the fathers and greatest supporters of the theory of Modernization we may first of all name Simon Kuznets and his colleague from U.S. Walt Rostow. They believed that, from a quantitative statistical viewpoint, factors that are integral to the modernization perspective would be solely economic. Namely they are made up by Gross Domestic Product per head, level of inflation, value of exports and value of imports, annual economic improvement, part of business that is owned by private persons, general budgets deficit. Modernization theory mostly centers on a number of economic variables which gather into a picture of economic growth on the huge macroeconomic scale. Although it is a sign of a greater scale development and changes on the macroeconomic level, critics insist that it defaults to see social and human factors of growth and development, and more centered on economic sides such as distribution of money and capital, regional distribution, modification of the economy, the predominance of debt and many other. Modernization perspective is impossible without these factors because, as a great theorist of modernization school Simon Kuznets insists, the inequalities of all types are temporary, passing and not permanent factors on the one hand and on the other hand they are simply necessary for development and economic growth. The weak point of their theory to my mind is that they consider public and health...
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...Modernization Theory effects of the modernization process on human communication History and Orientation A macro-theory with a historical and sociological inspiration. Developed in large-scale historical research investigating the effects of the modernization process on human communication. Modernization means the appearance of ‘modes of social life or organization which emerged in Europe from about the seventeenth century onwards and which subsequently became more or less worldwide in their influence’(Giddens, 1991). Modernization theories explain the changing ways of communication and media use in traditional and (post)modern societies. Core Assumptions and Statements Modernization theory has evolved in three waves. The first wave appeared in the 1950s and 1960s. One made the attempt to explain the diffusion of Western styles of living, technological innovations and individualist types of communication (highly selective, addressing only particular persons) as the superiority of secular, materialist, Western, individualist culture and of individual motivation and achievement (Lerner, 1958), Schramm, 1964). This first wave of theory produced three variants (McQuail, 2000: 84): 1. | Economic development: mass media promote the global diffusion of many technical and social innovations that are essential to modernization (Rogers, 1962). See Diffusion of Innovations theory. | 2. | Literacy and cultural development: mass media can teach literacy and other essential...
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...countries will be much faster than that of developed countries. Rural populations are expected to remain stable overall, though with some variation between regions of the world. Personally I believe that urbanization is not a necessary and desirable aspect of development due to the fact that it results in the opposite effect being ‘crowded cities with slum conditions’, the exact opposite result of what the developing country aimed to achieve and this not being a necessary step towards the process of development. Modernization theorists, looking back to the model of the Western development, see the growth of cities as an essential part of economic growth. Cities provide a labour force concentrated in one place for factories and businesses. They are also important in promoting cultural change, because they remove people from the countryside, where traditional ways are strongest, and through exposing them to Western values, cultural change should occur. Modernization theorists would therefore expect that urbanization would be an essential part of the process of cultural and economic change due to the fact it is offering a wider range of opportunities for people coming from the developing areas who need a boost to their social, economic and political needs, leading to development. However, there are several ways in which urbanization in developing countries today is different form the process that the new developed...
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