Ethnicity is an identity based upon a diversity in a variety of ways, including the

presumption of shared history and degree to which a society is split into distinct
common cultural inheritance. Ethnic groups; minority group size (in share and/or
identity is shaped by both ethnic absolute number); minority group influence
affiliation and ethnic attribution. Ethnic (the degree to which multiple groups are
affiliation refers to individuals' own sense visible and influential in civil society); and
of group membership and the group dominance (the degree to which one
characteristics of the group as defined by its or more groups dominated society). Each
members. Ethnic attribution concerns the of these approaches can be applied
characteristics of the group as defined by to the study of religious diversity
outsiders. States acted opportunistically
and inconsistently in dealing with
ethnicity. Sometimes they suppressed External dependency
ethnic affiliation to weaken the resistance of
subject groups to the state.
This approach originated in the Third
At other times they encouraged ethnic World (primarily LatinAmerica), rather
affiliation to accentuate division within than among Western academics.
the commoner class. States also used
derogatory ethnic stereotypes to Third World Dependency thinkers were
legitimize their exploitation of subject concerned with explaining the unequal and
peoples. For example, Aztecs depicted unjust situations in which they and
their Otomi subjects as lazy, imprudent, their nations found themselves.
untrained blockheads and gaudy dressers.
Stereotyping and ethnic prejudice generally Third World countries were poor while
heightened ethnic consciousness and "developed" countries were rich.Third World
perpetuated ethnic heterogeneity within countries do not exist in isolation within
ancient states. The distinctive element we the world political and economic
wish to emphasize is that of culture. system. There is a tremendous amount
Religion is an important cultural of interaction among core countries and
characteristic. How important religious peoples, and between the core and
identity is varies from person to person. periphery. Politics and economics are
related.
As we evaluate all the various cultural
characteristics, we have to determine The underdevelopment of Third World
(discover) which of those are most countries is directly related to, and makes
determinative within the self-identity of the possible, the "development" of the powerful
particular people themselves. Different countries of the industrialized core. So
cultural characteristics are given different long as capitalism remains the
relative values in each ethnic group. dominant
Comparing religious diversity across
countries presents many challenges,
starting with the definition of diversity. Dependency can be defined as an
Social scientists have conceived of explanation of the economic development of
a state in terms of the external influences-- Third World countries do not exist in
political, economic, and cultural--on national isolation. Within the world political and
development policies (Osvaldo Sunkel, economic system there is a tremendous
"National Development Policy and External amount of interaction among core countries
Dependence in Latin America," The Journal and peoples, and between the core and the
of Development Studies, Vol. 6, no. 1, Periphery.
October 1969, p. 23).
Politics and economics are related.The
The degree to which a country is dependent underdevelopment of Third World countries
on foreign economic, social, and political are directly related to, and makes possible,
forces is related to its size, resource the "development" of the powerful countries
endowment, and political history.Foreign of the industrialized core.So long as
dependency, global power structure in capitalism remains the dominant world
which weaker countries are economically economic system, there is no reason for the
reliant on stronger countries, allowing the situation of developed and underdeveloped
stronger countries to exercise significant countries to change.
control over the weaker countries’ economic
and political behaviour.Foreign dependency
generally fosters underdevelopment in the
dependent country; a country's adoption of
policies tailored to the interests of a stronger
country may inhibit the weaker country’s
domestic growth, speed environmental
destruction, or create temporary growth that
precludes sustainable development and
economic independence.

DEPENDENCY THEORY

This approach originated in the Third

World(primarily Latin America), rather than
among
Western academics.Third World
dependency thinkers were concerned with
explaining the unequal and unjust situations
in which they and their
nations found themselves.

Third World countries were poor

while"developed" countries were rich.

MAJOR PROPOSITIONS OF
DEPENDENCY THEORY