One indonesia partly followed modernisation theory in the 1960s by. Convergence theory definition, discussion and examples. Firstly, the theory analyses the inequality existing between the poor and the rich countries. May, 2015 this can be seen through the modernisation theory, which theorises development. Rostows stages of economic development are shown below. Modernization theory an overview sciencedirect topics. Limitations of modernisation theory globallyinequal. The concepts of stage, system and type by yoichi itagaki i ntrod uction the publication of w. Development rostows of development and ist relevance in. Modernization theory is a theory used to explain the process of modernization within societies. Modernization theory stresses the functional necessity of efficient bureaucracy for welfare state development because, without it, effective taxation and administration of complex distributional programs is simply impossible.
Modernization theory originated from the ideas of german sociologist max weber 18641920, which provided the basis for the modernization paradigm developed by harvard sociologist. Change is resisted because it brings in elements of uncertainty. There are two levels of analysis in classical modernization theory. Dec 08, 20 modernization theory, strengths and weaknesses by watila development is an elusive concept to define.
Weaknesses and strenths of modernization theory slideshare. During the 20th century, there has been enormous city growth into economic and cultural centers. Farhan ahmad faiz 2 historical background to modernization theory 1 post world war twos deepening poverty in some countries 2 ideological competition from communism 3 increasing unrest in some countries 4 the above posed a threat to capitalism, and especially the usa 5 this led to the development of. The origin of dependency theory came as an alternative to the theories of modernisation and development as formulated and supported by the western and marxist. But in the era of socalled globalization, these modernization ideas are facing resistance. It discusses strengths and weaknesses, and shows how the weaknesses in the modernization approach led to the rise of the rival dependency theory, which. Modernization theory, strengths and weaknesses by watila development is an.
In the words of one of the major proponents, historically, modernization is the process of change towards those types of social, economic, and political systems that have developed in. Despite the fact that the main studies of modernization were carried out by a psychologist, a social psychologist, a sociologist of religion and a political sociologist. Doc rostows theory of modernization development peter. Modernization theory and the comparative study of societies.
Modernization strengths culturevalues matter, first theory to consider development in third world weaknesses blames the third world, ethnocentric dependency strengths dismisses notion that global inequality is a product of laziness in peripheral countries. Jul 08, 2017 modernization, modernization theory a term and approach that came into widespread use in the early 1960s, as a consequence of the efforts by a group of development specialists in the united states to develop an alternative to the marxist account of social development. Bureaucracy, once erected, may also come to play an active role in decisionmaking and thus determine policy evolution. In this context, in the late 1940s, modernisation theory was developed. Modernization theory both attempts to identify the social variables that contribute to social progress and development of societies and seeks to explain the process of social evolution. This optimistic must be understood in the historical context of post war prosperity and growth in the north and independence of many southern colonies along with the growth of national. Many other aspects of society remained untouched by this theory pros.
It is rather multidimensional and there are no universally accepted approaches which can work as a utility and panacea for development. Discuss the weaknesses of modernization theory best custom. Modernization theory is a description and explanation of the processes of transformation from traditional or underdeveloped societies to modern societies. The modernisation theory is focused on the binary opposition of traditional modern1 and the process of changing traditional societies into modern societies through political and economic changes. Modernization refers to a model of a progressive transition from a premodern or traditional to a modern society.
A critique of modernization and dependency theories in. Modernization theory is used to explain the process of modernization within societies. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the modernisation. The most wellknown version of modernization theory is walt rostows 5 stages of economic growth.
As is wellknown the theory has somewhat lost its significance. The theory looks at the internal factors of a country while assuming that, with assistance, traditional countries can be brought to development in the same manner more developed countries have. Modernization consists of a gradual differentiation and specialization of social structures. Modernization theory was presented by hansulrich wehler in particular as the way to transform traditional german history, that is. Difference between modernization theory and dependency. First, we can identify the basis of the research focus.
Modernization is a term used to describe the transformation of a society from traditional, rural, agrarian society to a secular, urban and industrialized society. Jun 27, 2018 during the 20th century, there has been enormous city growth into economic and cultural centers. For instance development strategies such as new partnership for africas development nepad were. Modernization, modernization theory and its criticism.
But still, some of its elements remain nonetheless useful in certain development approaches, like big is beautiful. Farhan ahmad faiz 2 historical background to modernization theory 1 post world war twos deepening poverty in some countries 2 ideological competition from communism 3 increasing unrest in some countries 4 the above posed a threat to capitalism, and especially the usa 5 this led to the. The strengths of modernization theory can be defined in several aspects. Dependency theory highlights that due to colonial and postcolonial endeavors the countries at the periphery are constantly exploited by those at the core. It is not simply an increase in the gross domestic product gdp. Convergence theory presumes that as nations move from the early stages of industrialization toward becoming fully industrialized, they begin to resemble other industrialized societies in terms of societal norms and technology. The theory looks at the internal factors of a country while assuming that with assistance traditional countries can be brought to development in the same manner more developed countries have. What the strengths of modernization theory answers. These are the principal theoretical explanations to interpret development efforts carried out especially in the developing countries. The basic assumption of this theory, in any of its versions, is that there is one gen.
The endogenous explanation is a modernization theory. Strengths and weaknesses of the dependency theory free essays. Modernization theory modernisation theory has been defined as a theory reyes, 2001a that uses a systematic process to move underdeveloped countries to a more sophisticated level of development. Walter rostows theory will be analyzed in the second part. Rostows model of stages of economic growth with criticism. Essay on modernization advantages and disadvantages of. Dependency theory seeks to analyze international politics by concerning itself with the existing unequal relationship among nationstates i. Aug 17, 2006 modernization theory was presented by hansulrich wehler in particular as the way to transform traditional german history, that is. Still others critique modernization theory for failing to account for the unsustainable nature of the project, in an environmental sense, and point out that premodern, traditional, and indigenous cultures typically had much more environmentally conscious and symbiotic relationships between people and the planet. Modernisation theory had two major aims it attempted to explain why poorer.
A critique of modernization and dependency theories in africa. A noncommunist manifestol provoked many reactions in academic circles the world over. Modernization theory has shown a lot of backdrops both in theory and practice. It is a us and europeancentric normative model of development. Modernization theory, strengths and weaknesses by watila development is an elusive concept to define. Sep 19, 2017 the most wellknown version of modernization theory is walt rostows 5 stages of economic growth. Collectively, these theories contrast modernization. Noted that some areas were not progressing because of imperialism influential nations ensure that underdeveloped nations stay that way i.
While individuals may differ on how precisely this phenomenon should be conceptualized and a number of critics have addressed themselves to the relative merits. This optimistic must be understood in the historical context of post war prosperity and growth in the north and independence of many southern colonies along with the growth of national markets and trades. Rostow formulated the best known nonspatial model in 1955 in which five stages of economic development were identified. However, the way modernization theory suggests for. Firstly it will define the key concepts such as education and modernization theory. Modernization theory is subject to criticism originating among socialist and freemarket ideologies, worldsystems theorists, globalization theorists and. On the advantages and disadvantages of modernization theory for. Human nature has a propensity to resist change in favour of the status quo. In such a way, this theory views modernization of socioeconomic and political life of developing countries on the basis of the example of western countries as the only possible solution of the problem of backwardness of poor countries since western way of development is, according to modernization theory, is the only correct way to prosperity. The concept of modernization and development in marxs, lenins and marxistleninist thought. Modernization is an inherently optimistic concept for it assumes that all countries eventually experience economic growth.
Strengths of modernisation theory examples of it sort of working one indonesia partly followed modernisation theory in the 1960s by encouraging western companies to invest and by accepting loans from the world bank. Modernization and its discontents 1 the crisis in modernization theory 5 towards a sociology of knowledge 11 2. The political constructions of third world nations have been forcefully influenced by strong european powers through the process of colonisation. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the modernisation theory. In analysing the assets of the modernisation theories, it should be understood that this school of thought emerged in the early years of the 1950s, and began to disappear in the 1970s when belief in it started to wane. Rostow 1971 suggested that following initial investment, countries would then set off on an evolutionary process in which they would progress up 5 stages of a development ladder. In the 1970s and early 1980s german historians of society gained dominance in germany by applying both modernization theories and social. The main objective of this document is to synthesize the main aspects of the four major theories of development.
Rostows modernization theory of development the paper will attempt to outline the five stages identified by walt rostow needed for a country to reach a modernized state and what role education plays at every stage and then will give a conclusion. Moreover, the theory breaks some political bonds and explains reasons why the wealthy nations are taking advantage of the poor countries doukhan, 2003. The theory has shown that it is a one size fit all and does not take into account participants as directors of development. Society for comparative studies in society and history. The basic assumption of this theory, in any of its versions, is that there is one general end page 157 process of which democratization is but the final stage. Modernization theory is a theory used to explain the process of modernization that a nation goes through as it transitions from a traditional society to a modern one. To start with, dependency theory has the following strengths. A brief discussion of rostows modernization model and some of the major criticisms of the model. With all kinds of development in medical, technological arena, slowly our societies are transforming very fast. Critique of modernisation theories based on the dependency. Pdf on jan 1, 2010, prateek goorha and others published modernization. Sep 27, 2015 modernisation theory historical context 1940s and 50s by the end of ww2 it had become clear that despite exposure to capitalism many of the countries of the south had failed to develop. These theoretical perspectives allow us not only to clarify concepts, to set them in.
Modernization theory studies the process of social evolution and the development of. This can be seen through the modernisation theory, which theorises development. The theory believes that certain steps can bring success to every. Modernisation theory development and underdevelopment. The theory has shown that it is a one size fit all and does not take into. Two methodological similarities may be noted at the outset. In his view, at the beginning, a traditional society witnessed a few stages before attaining the level of the age of mass consumption. In conclusion, the above essay has interrogated the modernization theory by highlighting its major assumptions, its applicability in the third world countries and the major weaknesses aligned to it. New technologies have transformed almost every aspect of our daily life. This article provides information about the critique of modernisation theories based on the dependency theory of development. A critical analysis in the changing world situation after the post 1945 era, the development of modernization theory in order to modernise the rest of the world in line with american development is interestingly significant in the history of development studies. The modernization theory puts the most emphasis on economic development social and cultural change, and political stability.
Dec 01, 2016 1 modernization theory of development 1. In the african context, discuss the existing strategies for development patterns that would serve as exist routes from chronic poverty. The concept of modernization and development in marxs. In development discourse the modernization movement of the 1950s and 1960s is an economic theory that is rooted in capitalism. The dependency theory failed in ghana, according to ahiakpor, because of its focus on historical development, and because the government failed to anticipate many of the consequences of their policy. This optimistic must be understood in the historical context of post war prosperity and growth in the north and independence of many southern. Modernization theory focuses specifically on a type of modernization thought to. The drought and the influx of ghanians expelled from nigeria played a role in the development of ghana, but the strongest influence was the. Dependency theory is a mixture of various theories, including world systems theory, historical structure theory, and neomarxist theory. Modernization theory, strengths and weaknesses term paper. Modernization theory is a grand theory encompassing many different disciplines as it seeks to explain how society progresses, what variables affect that progress, and how societies can react to that progress. Strenght and weakness of modernization theory free essays. Strengths of modernisation theory examples of it sort of working.
Hardly a book or journal on development issues comes out which does not express disappointment, disillusionment or dissatisfaction with the ability of what ashis nandy has called a secular theory of salvation, to live up to its promise to expand human freedoms. Barry blufer university of massachusetts amherst follow this and additional works at. The german brand of history of societygesellschaftsgeschichtehas been known from its beginning in the 1970s for its application of sociological and politological modernization theories to german history. The objective of this paper is to show you the personal strengths and weakness that i identified by asking friends and family their opinion on the topic regarding yours truly, and by examining myself for areas that i am really good at also known as strengths and areas i need to improve otherwise known as weaknesses. One, it assumes a top down approach to development or it emphasizes the concentration of development in metropolitan centres and the peripheral cities will benefit through a trickledown effect. Modernization theory and dependency theory are two development theories between which some difference can be identified. Sep 29, 2019 still others critique modernization theory for failing to account for the unsustainable nature of the project, in an environmental sense, and point out that premodern, traditional, and indigenous cultures typically had much more environmentally conscious and symbiotic relationships between people and the planet.
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