Pdf development and modernization theory handout perin. Modernization and dependency theory essay example graduateway. Conversations on dependency theory institute for new economic. Vincent ferraro, mount holyoke college south hadley, ma july 1996 background dependency theory developed in the late 1950s under the guidance of the director of the united nations economic commission for latin america, raul prebisch. Contributions to classical modernization theory can usefully be studied as belonging to two levels of analysis. Dependency theory rejects the limited national focus of modernization theory and emphasizes the importance of understanding the complexity of imperialism and its role in shaping postcolonial states. A critique of modernization and dependency theories in. Although it is true, to a large extent, that modernization approach is still valid for the economic, social and political development of the countries, the approach has appeared questionable to many scholars of the field. In analysing the assets of the modernisation theories, it should be understood that this school of thought emerged in the early years of the 1950s, and began to disappear in the 1970s when belief in it started to wane. What is the difference between modernization theory and. Dependency theory assumes that human behavior in economic matters is a constant.
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. Modernization theory an overview sciencedirect topics. Beyond latin america chapter iii a theory of underdevelopment in sociology. Stated another way, marxist theories explain the reasons why imperialism occurs, while dependency theories explain the consequences of imperialism. Dependency theory casts aside the suppositions offered by modernization theory that.
Modernization theory oxford research encyclopedia of. Dependency theory and modernization theory dependency theory is a mixture of various theories, including world systems theory, historical structure theory, and neomarxist theory. Difference between modernisation theory and dependency theory. Modernization theory describes the transformative processes of societies from underdevelopment to modern societies. Jul 08, 2017 modernization, modernization theory a term and approach that came into widespread use in the early 1960s, as a consequence of the efforts by a group of development specialists in the united states to develop an alternative to the marxist account of social development. Naturally, this fact determined the principal difference between these theories, but, nevertheless, there are still certain similarities between modernization and dependency theories. Comparison of dependency theory with modernization theory. Modernization or dependency 72 95 modernization theory and underdevelopment dependency theory and underdevelopment dependency in a specific historical context. Modernization and dependency theory essay writing blog. Modernization and dependency theory tutorial sophia learning. Dependency theorists hold that shortterm spurts of growth notwithstanding, longterm growth in the periphery will be imbalanced and unequal, and will tend towards high negative current account balances.
These are the principal theoretical explanations to interpret. In such a way, unlike modernization theory, dependency theory does not view the choice in favor of western way of development as the panacea from all problems or as a conscious choice that is really supported by the population and elite of developing countries but such westernization of developing countries is viewed as a violent interference of developed countries in the life of the third world. The marxist theory of imperialism explains dominant state expansion while the dependency theory explains underdevelopment. Difference between modernization theory and dependency. They have critically evaluated the continued unequal relationships between countries, which have their history partly in colonialism and imperialism. Modernization theory is subject to criticism originating among socialist and freemarket ideologies, worldsystems theorists, globalization theorists and dependency theorists among others. Society for comparative studies in society and history. The central propositions of dependency theory there are a number of propositions, all of which are contestable, which form the core of dependency theory. For example, modernisation theory sees ldcs as backward societies that need our help to develop, whilst dependency theory sees us as exploiting them for cheap labour and raw materials. Dependency theory is more inclusive than modernization theory. The conclusion is that both theories have failed to help develop africa.
However, the way modernization theory suggests for. Critics of dependency theory social science theories. This term is used to indicate countries that are less economically developed than the united. Fostercarter argues that this disguises the similarities that exist between ldcs and the west. Dependency theory dependency theory has been presented as a theory of development that improves modernisation theory reyes, 2001a. Dependency theory observes and explains the effects modernization in one region has on other parts of the world. Apr 12, 2018 modernization theory is subject to criticism originating among socialist and freemarket ideologies, worldsystems theorists, globalization theory and dependency theory among others. The discourse pins hope on the african renaissance theory of development. Dependency theory an overview sciencedirect topics. Modernization theory is also a development theory that emerged before the dependency theory.
Modernization consists of a gradual differentiation and specialization of social structures. The discourse assesses the influence of modernization and dependency theories on africas development. Dependency theory emerged in the 1960s in reaction to modernization theories of development, arguing that international inequalities were socially structured and that hierarchy is a central feature of the global system of societies. Modernization, dependency, rural underdevelopment, african renaissance. Comparison and contrast between modernisation theory and dependency theory. First of all, it should be said that dependency theory was developed in response to modernization theory out of sheer criticism of the latter theory by the supporters of dependency theory. Dependency theory has also been associated with johan galtungs structural theory of imperialism. Aug 31, 2015 modernization theory is also a development theory that emerged before the dependency theory. A critical analysis in the changing world situation after the post 1945 era, the development of modernization theory in order to modernise the rest of the world in line with american development is interestingly significant in the history of development studies. Its main tenet is that the periphery of the international economy is being economically exploited drained. Dependency theory grew influential in latin america in the 1960s and 1970s, largely in reaction to modernisation theory and free trade policies, which originated in the west. Dependency theory a theory that explains global inequalities with respect to historical oppression. The latter term simply refers to a condition in which resources are not being used.
In such a way, the dependency theory is externallyoriented, whereas the modernization theory is internallyoriented. Dependency theory holds that the condition of underdevelopment is precisely the result of the incorporation of the third world economies into the capitalist world system which is dominated by the west and north america randall and theobald 1998, 120, hence in development studies, dependency implies a situation in which a. The frankian model of dependency dependency theory. Modernization theory stresses not only the process of change but also the responses to that change. An outline and critique of competing theories by dieter nohlen, heidelberg. Modernization theory says that a focus on education, technology and mass media is a major reason that developed regions pull ahead from others. Dependency theory is a mixture of various theories, including world systems theory, historical structure theory, and neomarxist theory. For dependency theory in linguistics, see dependency grammar.
Modernization and dependency theory nowadays the rapid development of the word and the growing integration of countries can hardly fail to affect the development of new theories which attempt to explain the relationship between countries and the existing inequality between developed countries and countries of the third world. Modernization theory is a description and explanation of the processes of transformation from traditional or underdeveloped societies to modern societies. Modernization, modernization theory and its criticism. At a finer level are the microcosmic evaluations of modernization that focus on the componential elements of social modernization such as urbanization, gender and income inequality, skills acquisition and education, the role of political communication. The basic assumption of this theory, in any of its versions, is that there is one gen. To put it more precisely, the dependency theory is oriented on the international relations, whereas the modernization theory focuses on the internal development of the country. Modernization theory, dependency theory and world systems. Modernization, dependency, rural underdevelopment, african. While the dependency theories have provided a welcome critique from the south about the north, they were not without some. Two methodological similarities may be noted at the outset. Dependency theory however, is a critique of modernization theory and the global capitalist system. This article provides information about the critique of modernisation theories based on the dependency theory of development.
Modernisation and dependency repub, erasmus university. Modernization and dependency theory 1563 words 7 pages. Modernization theory studies the process of social evolution and the development of. The basic assumption of this theory, in any of its versions, is that there is one general end page 157 process of which democratization is but the final stage. A common term used in the news and social media today is the developing world. Indias example seems to contradict dependency theorists claims concerning comparative advantage and mobility, as much as its economic growth originated from movements such as outsourcing one of the most mobile forms of capital transfer. It combines elements from a neomarxist theory and adopts a revolution of under developed nations model. Difference between modernization theory and dependency theory. Modernization theory not only stresses the process of change but also the responses to that change. Modernization versus dependency in the context of colonial bengal. The focus of this theory is the totality of society and social system periphery, which highlights the. Modernization theory an explanation for global stratification that asserts that technological and cultural differences between nations serves as the basis of global stratification. Relationships with developed countries and particularly with. There are two levels of analysis in classical modernization theory.
A critique of modernization and dependency theories in africa. Modernization theory modernization is the term used for the transition from the traditional society of the past to modern society as it is found today in the west. The modernization theory has failed to integrate an analysis of underdevelopment within its explanatory domain because of its theoretical reliance on the. In this sense, the dependency theory can be viewed as a reaction to modernization theory. The endogenous explanation is a modernization theory. However, it is necessary to underline that modernization theory views such cooperation and integration as a conscious and voluntary act from the part of developing countries, for which modernization in the western style is the only way to overcome the existing backwardness, while supporters of dependency theory argue that such cooperation and. Collectively, these theories contrast modernization. Relationships with developed countries and particularly with multinational corporations were viewed as. Dependency theories have provided an alternative approach to looking at unilinear growth models. Critique of modernisation theories based on the dependency. Modernization and dependency theories flashcards quizlet. Dependency theory and its close relative, world system theory, emphasized the role of external relationships in the developmental process. The political economy of africa and dependency theory. Modernization theory emphasized internal factors while making an exception of science.
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