Article #002481

Democracy and Development: A Critical Analysis of Modernization, Dependency and

Structural Adjustment Theories

By Kumbirai Thierry Nhamo

N.B: Dissecting Views and Opinions expressed here are My Own. I am not a Developmental
Studies Scholar.

Introduction
Democracy and development are two concepts that have been widely debated and contested in
the academic and political spheres. What do they mean, and how are they related? How can we
achieve them in a world that is marked by inequality, injustice and oppression? These are some of
the questions that have motivated various theories of development, which seek to explain the
causes and solutions of underdevelopment in the Global South.

In this article, I will review three major development theories that have influenced the discourse
and practice of development in Africa and other regions: modernization, dependency and structural
adjustment. I will critically examine their assumptions, implications and outcomes, and assess
their relevance and impact on the prospects of democracy and development in Africa. I will argue
that these theories have failed to address the root causes of underdevelopment, and have instead
reproduced the structures and relations of domination and exploitation that hinder the realization
of democracy and development.

Modernization Theory
Modernization theory emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as the dominant paradigm of development.
It was based on the assumption that development is a linear and universal process of social
change, whereby societies progress from traditional to modern stages of economic, political and
cultural development. Modernization theory was influenced by the experiences of Western
industrialization and democratization, which were seen as the models and goals for the rest of the
world to follow. According to modernization theory, underdevelopment is a result of cultural and
institutional factors that prevent societies from adopting modern values, attitudes and behaviors.
Therefore, the solution to underdevelopment is to promote modernization through Western aid,
education, technology transfer and political reform.

Modernization theory was widely adopted by Western governments and international agencies as
the basis for their development policies and programs in the Global South. However,
modernization theory has been criticized for its ethnocentric, ahistorical and deterministic
perspective, which ignores the diversity, complexity and dynamism of social realities.
Modernization theory also fails to acknowledge the historical and structural causes of
underdevelopment, such as colonialism, imperialism and neocolonialism, which have created
unequal power relations between the Global North and South. Moreover, modernization theory has
not delivered its promises of economic growth, social welfare and political democracy. Instead, it
has contributed to the creation of dependent, distorted and dysfunctional economies, societies
and polities in the Global South.

Dependency Theory
Dependency theory emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a radical critique of modernization theory.
It was based on the assumption that development is not a universal process of social change, but
a historical process of capitalist expansion, whereby some countries benefit at the expense of
others. Dependency theory was influenced by the experiences of Latin American dependency
scholars, such as Andre Gunder Frank, Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Theotonio Dos Santos,
who analyzed the structural conditions and consequences of underdevelopment in their region.
According to dependency theory, underdevelopment is not a result of cultural and institutional
factors that prevent societies from adopting modern values, attitudes and behaviors. Rather,
underdevelopment is a result of economic and political factors that create a system of
dependency between core (developed) countries

And periphery (underdeveloped) countries. Therefore, the solution to underdevelopment is not to

promote modernization through Western aid, education, technology transfer and political reform.
Rather, the solution to underdevelopment is to break away from dependency through national
liberation, self-reliance and social transformation.

Dependency theory was widely adopted by radical governments and social movements as the
basis for their development strategies and struggles in the Global South. However, dependency
theory has been criticized for its pessimistic, deterministic and homogenous perspective, which
overemphasizes the external constraints on development and understates the internal potentials
for change. Dependency theory also fails to account for the diversity, complexity and dynamism of
social realities. Dependency theory also overlooks the contradictions, conflicts

And changes within both core and periphery countries. Furthermore, dependency theory has not
delivered its promises of national liberation, self-reliance and social transformation. Instead,

It has often led to authoritarianism, populism and isolationism in some cases.

Structural Adjustment Theory

Structural adjustment theory emerged in the 1980s and 1990s as a neoliberal response to the

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crisis of development in the Global South. It was based on the assumption that development is a
market-driven process of economic integration, whereby societies adjust to the global demands of
efficiency, competitiveness and profitability. Structural adjustment theory was influenced by the
experiences of Western neoliberal economists, such as Milton Friedman, Robert Lucas And Jeffrey
Sachs, who advocated for free market reforms and macroeconomic stabilization in developing
countries. According to structural adjustment theory, underdevelopment is a result of state
intervention and market distortion that prevent societies from achieving optimal allocation of
resources and rational allocation of prices.

Therefore, the solution to underdevelopment is not to break away from dependency through
national liberation, self-reliance and social transformation. Rather, the solution to
underdevelopment is to embrace dependency through structural adjustment programs (SAPs)
offered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), which entail
liberalization, privatization and deregulation of the economy, as well as austerity measures, such
as cutting public spending, reducing subsidies and increasing taxes.

Structural adjustment theory was widely imposed by Western governments and international
agencies as the condition for their financial assistance and debt relief in the Global South.
However, structural adjustment theory has been criticized for its technocratic, ahistorical and
ideological perspective, which ignores the social, political and environmental dimensions of
development. Structural adjustment theory also fails to acknowledge the historical and structural
causes of underdevelopment, such as colonialism, imperialism and neocolonialism, which have
created unequal power relations between the Global North and South. Moreover, structural
adjustment theory has not delivered its promises of economic growth, social welfare and political
democracy. Instead, it has contributed to the creation of poverty, inequality and instability in the
Global South.

Conclusion
In this article, I have reviewed three major development theories that have influenced the discourse
and practice of development in Africa and other regions: modernization, dependency and structural
adjustment. I have critically examined their assumptions, implications and outcomes, and
assessed their relevance and impact on the prospects of democracy and development in Africa. I
have argued that these theories have failed to address the root causes of underdevelopment, and
have instead reproduced the structures and relations of domination and exploitation that hinder
the realization of democracy and development.

Therefore, I propose that we need to rethink and redefine development in a way that is more
democratic, inclusive and sustainable. We need to challenge the dominant paradigms of
development that are based on Western models and interests, and seek alternative visions and
practices of development that are based on local realities and aspirations. We need to recognize
the diversity, complexity and dynamism of social realities, and engage in dialogue, participation
and collaboration with different actors and stakeholders. We need to address the historical and

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structural causes of underdevelopment, such as colonialism, imperialism and neocolonialism, and
strive for a more equitable and just world order.

We need to balance the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development, and
ensure that human rights, dignity and well-being are respected and protected.

This is not an easy task, but it is a necessary one. For democracy and development are not only
concepts or goals, but also processes and struggles. We, as Africans and global citizens, have a
role and a responsibility to shape them in our own image and interest.

“In my country Zimbabwe, democracy is not the problem, the flawed implementation and practice
of democracy is the problem” ~Kumbirai Thierry Nhamo (The Inherent Flaws Of Democracy-
Africa Defence Forum)

Source: ZEALOUS THIERRY DIGITAL MEDIA ARCHIVES, 10/14/2023

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Files Accessed: 13

Email: [email protected]

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