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    Modernization theory

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    Download as pdf
    10 views41 pages

    Modernization Theory

    Uploaded by

    STEVEN OMARY
    Modernization theory

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    Modernisation theory A PowerPoint presentation compiled by Ramesh Adhikari Introduction to Modernisation \--| theory ms e For a country to be seen as modern, modernisation theorists say it has to undergo an evolutionary advance in science and technology which in turn would lead to an increased standard of living for all Causes of lack of development or progress towards modernisation? e That some couniries have not modernised is seen to be the result of internal factors such as (a) poverty and (b) inadequate culture Historical background to modernisation aaa \— theory . ca A ‘ig ye Ay oat , 1. Post world war two's deepening - poverty in some countries 2. Ideological competition from communism ei Historical Background (cont...) O34 Increasing unrest in some countries 4 The above posed a threat to capitalism, and especially the USA 5 This led to the development of modernisation theory (mainly by US economists and policy makers) Historical Context e 1950s (Post World War II) e U.S. becoming a Superpower e Success of the Marshall Plan ¢ New attention to unequal development in the world “Traditional Society” e Reliance on kinship structures e Little social or spatial mobility e Only basic economic activity ¢ A traditional elite and hierarchical organization “Modern Society” e Nuclear family serves only limited functions e Complex and differentiated occupations and economy e Highly differentiated political structures e Rational legal sources of authority Aaa / Parson's (cultural factors block _ development) \ =n | ~STraditional values block a country from ~ developing e.g. valuing the extended family, blocks geographical mobility Traditional values Modern values e Ascription Achievement e Particularism Universalism ¢ Collectivism Individualism Modernisation theorists aimed to: “| a) explain why poorer countries failed to | evolve into modern societies \ b) Reduce the spread of communism by presenting capitalist values as the solution to poverty Modernisation theory has become increasingly influential, especially since post nrc Wier esses cle + 7, What is Progress? e Progress as a natural process e Progress as a political process ° Consolidation of the nation state e Progress as economic growth e Progress as personal ° “a shift in values, attitudes and expectations” Theories of Modernization e Modernization is the total transformation of a traditional or pre- modern society into the type of technology and associated social and political organization that characterizes the Western world. ¢ Countries develop out of a functionalist, evolutionary, system theory of social development that is linear. Theories of Modernization ¢ Development as modernization leading to modern growth, thus involves the modernization of social relationships and institutions, political relationships and institutions and economic relationships and institutions, or the shift from traditional to modern society. The locus of change is the modern sector, centered on the rationalist values of the enlightenment era and the cultural rise of the modern nation state. Features of economic modernization e Influenced by keynesian ideas and the Marshall plan. « Distinction made between backward or traditional countries and advanced or modern capitalist countries. The goal is to show how countries make the transition to a modern industrial country. ¢ The transition to modernization is marked by sustained and higher rates of growth caused by rising levels/rates of savings/investment Features of economic modernization ¢ The engine of growth is the capitalist class in the modern sector, given their profit maximizing, individually rational, modern values and behaviour. e Under conditions of international trade, there tends to be a presumption that such international economic interactions will have a favourable net impact, with the expectation of global economic convergence i.e. the poor catching up with the rich. Economic modernization ~— e Lewis develops a model of growth | which explicitly recognizes developmental differences between countries and makes a further distinction within developing countries by characterising them as dual economies. e Labour surplus traditional sector and modern sector in developing countries. Economic modernization e Traditional sector is agriculture based — low technology, capital and worker productivity. e Modern sector — high productivity manufacturing or urban centered industrialization — requires growth in savings and increased capital accumulation. Rostow’s evolutionary ladder of development (economic factors) a a Rostow's Stages of Growth --—— Walt Rostow wrote in the late 50's and early 60's in response to the many seemingly successful Marxist theories of economic development Marxist writers had developed a number of stages through which a country had to pass, Rostow came up with a similar list. tostow - Stages of Growth 1. Traditional Society e Characterised by ° subsistence economy — output not traded or recorded ° existence of barter » high levels of agriculture and labour intensive agriculture =

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