DEVELOPMENT THEORIES

Conceptualizing development theories, Modernization, dependency,

World systems theory and Globalization
The concept of Modernization
 Associated with western values.

 Multidimensional approach.

 Traditional to modern system

 Evolutionary process

 Rationalism, respect for human rights, justice and

democracy
Origin of the modernization theory
 Traced to the age of reason/ enlightenment /
industrial revolution in Europe.

 Gained prominence after WW I & II.

Aims of MT

1. Explanation / Understanding
2. Non-communist solutions
 Barrier to development according to - MT
 Low levels of infrastructural development, low levels
of technologies, low levels of human capital
development, political instability, low levels of
capital formation, corruption, low levels of resource
utilization et al.
 Cultural barriers include; extended families and
communalism
 Cont.’
 Opines that the role of the West in developing
countries are; Investment in factories, expertise and
equipment, use of loan (trickle down effects), funding
meritocratic education and expansion of western
values of universalism and individualism.
 The theory argues that Marginalized and
underdeveloped societies can develop following the
same stages that were followed by developed
countries.
Acquisition of modernization
 Embracing of positive ideas and attitudes towards
modernization.
 Use of force
 Influence of charismatic leaders
 Education
 Democracy
 Tenets of modernization
 Phased process
 Europeanization / Americanization process.
 Imminent and irreversible process.
 Evolutionary process rather than revolutionary.
 Linked to industrialization and Urbanization
(Kendell 2007).
 Infrastructures of diffusion are critical agents of
modernization
Cont.’
 Homogenizing process
 Views capital formation as the foundation for
development.
 Emphasizes individualism/ private over
communalism
Social Modernization
 Developed by classical thinker Emile Durkheim and
was later popularized by Talcott Parson.
 Emile Durkheim developed the concept of functionalism
which stresses the interdependence of different
institutions in the societies and how they maintain
cultural and social solidarity.
 He is recognized for his work, “ Division of labour”
which describes how societies maintain social order and
how primitive societies may make a transition to more
advanced societies.
Cont.’
 Held that in capitalistic societies with complex
division of labour, economic regulations may be
needed.
 He further developed the concept of social
evolution which indicate how societies and cultures
develop over time much like a living organism.
 Observes that societies change through the
interaction with other societies.
Talcott Parson
 He developed the concept of pattern Variables used
to differentiate between traditional and modern
societies.
 Pattern Variables are key social relations which are
enduring, recurring and are embedded in the
cultural systems.
 Holds that for societies to develop, they should be
open to change and views backward forces as
restricting development.
Cont.’
 Essentially, the proponents of modernization are in
two camps i.e., optimists and pessimists
 Optimists- view setbacks to modernization as
temporal
 Pessimists- argues that non-modernized societies
are incapable of modernizing
Sets of Pattern Variables
The following sets of relations are used to
differentiate between traditional and modern societies;
1. Affection vs Neutrality
2. Particularism Vs Universalism
3. Collectivity Vs Individualism / Self-orientation
4. Ascription Vs Achievement
5. Diffusion Vs Specificity
Assumptions of Modernization Theory
 Developing countries should follows the same path
taken by developed countries.
 Causes of underdevelopment are intrinsic to the
third world countries.
 Capital formation is essential for modernization.
 Ties with developed countries is essential for the
development of the third world countries
Recommendations
 International trade based on the theory of
comparative advantage.
 Adopt western Education
 Capital transfer from the West.
 Adopting democratic institutions
NB: In a more general sense, argues that developing
countries should address the internal barriers to
development with support from developed countries.
Weaknesses of the modernization theory
 Ignores differences in circumstances of developed
and developing countries.
 The ideal of following the theory of comparative
advantage is unrealistic.
 Ignores inequalities
 Ethnocentric in nature
 Environmental degradation and associated negative
impacts
Cont.’
 Ignores local resources and capacity

 Promotes western values at the expense of the local /

traditional values.

 Marxist argues that aid is not just about helping but

changing the society so that they are easier to exploit.
 DEPENENCY THEORY
Overview, core and peripheral relationship, the concept of development
of underdevelopment, exploitation of LDCs, policy implication
Overview
 Started in the 1940 by UN economist
 Main proponent was Raul Presbisch the SG of ECLAC
 It was a reaction to the modernization.

 Central theme is exploitation / extraction of surpluses.

 Polarization of the global economic system.

Core and Periphery relationship

Competing views;

1. Convergence of development gaps (Hirschman 1958)-

trickle down effects- optimistic

2. Gunnar Myrdal ; - Pessimistic

Development of Underdevelopment
 Andre Gundre Frank (1969)

 Capitalism and the history of colonialism are the causes

of underdevelopment in LDCs.

 Advocates for delinkage from the global capitalistic

system
How MDCs Exploit LDCs
Underdevelopment in LDC is a consequence of exploitative
relationships with MDS as highlighted below;

 Direct foreign investments

 Unequal trading relations

 Obsolete, unsuitable and costly technologies.

 Foreign aid

 Policy dictates
Proposed remedies
 Adoption of socialism

 Full utilization of resources

 Import substitution strategy

 Disengagement/ delinkage from the west

Criticism of the dependency theory
 Over-emphasizes the problems of unequal exchange relations

 Ignores class analysis

 Lacks internal consistency

 Dependence is a choice

 Development of Eastern Tigers along the capitalistic open line

Criticism of the dependency theory
 Development of Eastern Tigers along the capitalistic
open line

 Believed foreign aid is a mechanism to enslave LDCS

 Ignores internal factors

 Blamed MNC for Profit Repatriation yet they improve

the BOP
Similarity btn DT & MT
 Share the same research focus

 Similar methodologies – abstract level

 Polar theoretical framework

Differences btn DT & MT
 Theoretical background i.e. MT (European Evolutionary
Perspective) & DT (ECLAC & Marxism ).

 Internal Vs external causation.

 Linkage Vs Delinkage

 Optimism Vs Pessimistic
Questions
1. Critically analyze the recommendations provided by the
dependency theory as measures for changing the
fortunes of developing countries.
2. Explain the concept of “Development of
underdevelopment” as used by Andre Gundre Frank
 End,
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