Modernisation Theory

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Modernisation theory is largely based on the view that to develop means to become
modern by adopting Western cultural values and social institutions. It is suggested
that undeveloped societies subscribe to value systems and institutions that hinder
the development process.
Development as an evolutionary process
The leading modernisation thinker, Bill Rostow, suggested that development
should be seen as an evolutionary process in which countries progress up a
development ladder of five stages.
1 Undeveloped societies are traditional societies dominated by institutions such as
families, tribes and clans, within which roles are ascribed (i.e. people are born into
them) rather than achieved. Production is agricultural.
2 The pre-conditions for take-off stage involves the introduction of material factors
such as capital and technology from the West in the form of capital investment by
Western companies and official aid.
3 The take-off stage is the most important and involves traditional attitudes and
social institutions being overcome and replaced with their Western equivalents. For
example, achievement replaces ascription and the nuclear family replaces the
extended family or clan/tribe as people become more geographically mobile in their
search for work in the factories set up by Western companies.
4 The drive to maturity stage is marked by export of manufactured goods to the
West as the country takes its place in the international trading system.
5 Development is achieved in the final stage which Rostow calls the age of high
mass consumption. In this stage, the majority of citizens live in urban rather than
rural areas and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Life expectancy is high and most
citizens have access to health-care and free education.
Modernisation and cultural change
Other modernisation writers such as Parsons have stressed the need for cultural
change in the LDCs if development is to come about. In particular, traditional
religions such as Islam and Hinduism are seen to be a problem because they are
perceived to be:

anti-science and anti-secular

ascriptive and therefore an obstacle to both social and geographical mobility

responsible for population explosions.

Lerner suggests that cultural change could be encouraged by educating the children
of LDC lites in Western schools and universities.
Criticisms of modernisation theory
Modernisation theory has been very influential, particularly on US foreign policy,
but it has attracted four key criticisms.

It implies that traditional values and institutions have little or no value

compared with their Western equivalents. However, there is evidence from
Japan and the Asian Tigers that the traditional (e.g. religion and extended
family) can exist successfully alongside the modern.

It assumes Western forms of capitalism to be the ideal and conveniently

ignores the social and economic problems that are common in those
societies, e.g. high divorce-rates, crime, poverty, suicide, etc.

Western encouragement of LDC lites has created inequalities in wealth and

power which have led to human-rights abuses. In particular, the USA has
propped up abusive right-wing regimes because they are anti-communist.

In its emphasis on internal obstacles, modernisation theory underestimates

the external obstacles to development.