Modernisation Theory

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 élites 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 élites 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.

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