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Development Traditions: Modernization and Dependency Schools

This document discusses three major schools of development thinking: modernization theory, dependency theory, and development traditions. [1] Modernization theory viewed development as a linear process where societies progress through stages from traditional to modern. [2] Dependency theory argued that underdevelopment is caused by the relationship between core and periphery nations in the global economic system. [3] Both theories have been criticized for being too simplistic and static in their views of development.

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38 views

Development Traditions: Modernization and Dependency Schools

This document discusses three major schools of development thinking: modernization theory, dependency theory, and development traditions. [1] Modernization theory viewed development as a linear process where societies progress through stages from traditional to modern. [2] Dependency theory argued that underdevelopment is caused by the relationship between core and periphery nations in the global economic system. [3] Both theories have been criticized for being too simplistic and static in their views of development.

Uploaded by

Oro Playlist
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Development Traditions

Modernization and Dependency


Schools
What are the three
components of development
thinking?
• Development theories

• Development Strategies

• Development Ideologies
What is the relationship
between the Enlightenment
and Development Thinking?
• Idea of applying reason, and empircism
• Ideas of progress, and universality
• Evolution through ‘natural’ stages
• Idea of modernity
• Idea of mastering nature
• Emphasis on social order
• The role of the state/ those with
‘scientific’ knowledge as trustees and
forces for progress
How has post-war era
influenced development
thinking? What were its key
premises?
• Cold War and Marshall Plan to manage
change
• Post-colonial states and development
choices
• Premises:
1. Social Engineering
2. State
3. Poverty as a social pathology
4. Fear of mass society
Modernization School
• What does development entail?
• Societies develop through evolutionary stages.

• Social change is unidirectional, progressive,


gradual or phased (Rostow) and irreversible
leading to convergence as societies become more
advanced

• Example: Rostow’s five stages (tradition,


preconditions for takeoff, takeoff, drive to
maturity, and finally high mass consumption)
Development in Mod
(continued)
• Economies in developing contexts are
qualitatively different
• Economic structure is like a “steel frame
that cannot be changed with growth and
accumulation of capital”
• State plays a key role in providing a ‘big
push’ in order for industrialization to
happen.
• Key challenge is lack of accumulation of
productive capital in modern sector due
to low levels of savings.
• The state plays an important role in
forward and backward linkages
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and can
fill the gaps
• Integration into world economy is
consistent with development
Values
• Cultures of poverty
• Development is a question of instilling the right
values and personality types
• Modern cultural values traits as a commitment
to rationality and science (over emotionalism
and superstition), universalism, independence,
and personal achievement.
• Modern values make it possible for people to
accept risk, to act in their own self-interest, to
engage in long-term planning, to honor
commitments to people outside their family..etc.
Political Modernization
• Traditional societies are not becoming ‘liberal
democracies’

• Development is messy and can lead to social


mobilization and demands of participation that
traditional institutions can not absorb.

• Political order and state strength as pre-requisites


for development
Main tenets of Modernization

• A) Ideal Types and Dualities

• 1) Traditional society: “ascriptive, particularistic,


an extended kinship structure with a multiplicity of
functions, little spatial and social mobility, a
deferential stratification system, mostly primary
economic activities, a tendency toward autarky of
social units, an undifferentiated political structure,
with traditional elitist and hierarchical sources of
authority, etc.”
• 2) Modern society is dominated by ‘achievement;
universalistic, specific, and neutral orientations; a
nuclear family structure serving limited functions;
a complex and highly differentiated occupational
system; high rates of spatial and social mobility; a
predominance of secondary economic activities
and production for exchange; the
institutionalization of change and self-sustained
growth; highly differentiated political structures
with rational legal sources of authority; and so
on’
• B)Endogenous explanation of
underdevelopment
• society was conceptualized as an integrated
self contained unit with functionally
compatible roles and institutions. Hence, the
institutions and patterns of action of
traditional society are a cause and
manifestation of underdevelopment.
C. Governance
• Political institutions and political order
matter in the development process.
• Economic performance and viable rule
are mutually reinforcing.
Problems With Modernization
School?
Dependency School
• What are its key premises?
• Under-development cannot be understood
in isolation from the international
economic order.

• Development is a Hobbesian drama.

• Value systems and cultures are not the


causes of underdevelopment.
Tenets of Dependency School
• Core and periphery

• Development = industrialization

• The state is “hollowed out” due to :


1) structural dominance of the core
2) domestic dominance of the ‘lumpen-
bourgeoisie’
How can development
happen?
• Empowerment of working classes in the
periphery

• State’s autonomy from the local


bourgeoisie

• De-link developing societies from the


international economic system
What are the weaknesses of
dependency school?
• Perpetuate ideal types

• A-historical analysis

• Static view of the developing world

• Rise of the NICs, India, China?

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