Modernisation Theory and Global Poverty
TITLE
‘Modernisation theory provides the best explanation of why some countries remain poor.’ Evaluate this view
ESSAY
🌟Modernization Theory: Cultural Explanations for Global Inequality🌟
Modernization theorists argue that certain cultural values play a crucial role in determining the economic development of countries. This approach suggests that nations can escape poverty by adopting values such as democracy, entrepreneurship, individual freedom, and meritocracy 💥 characteristics commonly associated with Western developed countries. For example, Rostow's stages of economic growth model proposes that countries can improve their social and economic status by following the developmental path of successful Western societies.
One of the key strengths of modernization theory is its emphasis on cultural factors as primary drivers of economic development. By focusing on values and practices that have historically led to prosperity in Western societies, modernization theory offers a pathway for poorer nations to achieve economic growth through their own efforts.
🌟Against Modernization Theory: Structural Explanations for Global Inequality🌟
In contrast, Marxist theorists, such as dependency theorists, argue that structural factors are more significant than cultural values in explaining global inequality. According to this perspective, the capitalist class in developed Western economies has historically exploited and underdeveloped poorer countries for their own gain, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and inequality.
Scholars like Frank highlight how global inequalities were initially established through mechanisms such as slavery and colonialism, which created an exploitative global economy that disadvantaged colonized nations. Dependency theorists further argue that neocolonial practices, such as unfair trade terms and exploitation by transnational companies, continue to hinder the economic development of poorer countries.
🌟Evaluation of Modernization Theory🌟
While modernization theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the role of cultural factors in economic development, critics argue that it oversimplifies the complexities of global inequality. Marxist perspectives highlight the structural injustices and exploitative practices that have historically disadvantaged poorer nations, emphasizing the systemic nature of economic inequality.
Moreover, the reliance on cultural explanations in modernization theory has been criticized for potentially attributing blame to developing countries for their own poverty, rather than acknowledging the role of external forces in perpetuating inequality. Marxist theorists suggest that ideologies like modernization theory may serve to justify capitalist exploitation and perpetuate unequal power dynamics between wealthy industrialized nations and less developed countries.
In conclusion, while modernization theory offers insights into the importance of cultural factors in economic development, a comprehensive understanding of global inequality requires consideration of structural factors and historical contexts. By contrasting modernization theory with Marxist perspectives, a more nuanced evaluation of the drivers of global poverty and economic disparity can be achieved.
SUBJECT
SOCIOLOGY
LEVEL
A level and AS level
NOTES
🌟Modernisation theory provides the best explanation of why some countries remain poor.’ Evaluate this view.🌟
This question requires candidates to demonstrate an understanding of different approaches to explaining global inequality. Good answers will be aware that modernisation theory attributes primary importance to cultural factors in explaining differences in global development. Rostow, for example, argues that poorer countries can improve their social and economic position through adopting the values and practices that supposedly have made western developed countries economically successful. Good answers are likely to draw contrasts between modernisation theory and explanations of global inequality that focus on structural factors as opposed to cultural factors, including dependency theory and the world systems approach. Case studies and statistical evidence may be used to support key points and comparisons might be made between poorer countries that remain highly underdeveloped in economic terms and those which have achieved some success in moving away from poverty, such as the so💥called Asian Tiger economies.
🌟Indicative Content🌟
🌟For:🌟
💥 Modernisation theorists argue that certain cultural values are essential for successful economic development in poorer countries, including the values of democracy, entrepreneurship, individual freedom, and meritocracy. Countries that adopt these values and follow the model of development that proved successful in Western societies can escape poverty through their own efforts.
💥 Modernisation theorists argue that Marxist theories of development (Dependency Theory and Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory) are guilty of economic reductionism in arguing that poorer countries are trapped in a position of exploitation and inequality by the logic of capitalism. Social, cultural, political, and environmental factors are attributed little value in explaining the causes of global inequalities in these Marxist theories.
💥 Evidence exists that poorer countries can resist capitalist dependency where a suitable cultural response is adopted. For example, Cuba resisted a 36💥year trade embargo by the USA at the same time as raising standards of living and improving rates of literacy, mortality, and life expectancy.
💥 Cultural explanations of global inequality provide a framework for understanding why some developing countries have achieved higher levels of economic growth than others. Marxist theories, by contrast, struggle to explain these differences.
💥 Historical studies suggest that cultural factors played an important part in the process through which Western societies became wealthy at the time of the industrial revolution. It seems likely therefore that cultural factors could also contribute to economic growth in developing countries today.
🌟Against:🌟
💥 Marxists argue that structural factors are more important than cultural factors in explaining global inequality. For example, dependency theorists argue that the capitalist class in western developed economies has generated wealth for itself by deliberately and systematically underdeveloping the economies of poor countries, leaving those countries in a state of dependency on Western nation💥states and TNCs.
💥 Frank argues that global inequalities were first established through the use of both slavery and colonialism. Colonialism and imperialism created a global economy in which the colonies were primarily exploited for their cheap food, raw materials and labour. Local industries were either destroyed or undermined by cheap imported manufactured goods from the West.
💥 Dependency theorists argue that exploitation continues via neocolonialism. For example, the terms of world trade are dominated by Western markets and needs. This means that many poor countries do not get a fair price for their raw materials, cash crops or manufactured goods.
💥 Modernisation theory has been criticised by Marxist theorists as a form of ideology that is used to justify Western capitalist exploitation of developing economies by blaming poor countries for the poverty they experience.
💥 Transnational companies (TNCs) help maintain inequalities in poorer countries by exploiting and dehumanising people for profit.
💥 Some sociologists argue that international aid is another means by which Western countries can exploit the less economically developed countries.
💥 Wallerstein argues that capitalism is inherently a global system that is organised around an international division of labour, with poorer countries locked into exploitative ties with wealthier, industrialised countries and unable to develop economically in ways that would free their populations from poverty and inequality.