Modernisation Theory

Modernisation Theory

1. Traditional society – wealth concentrated in hands of elites (hierarchical social structure), subsistence agriculture

   • Preconditions for take-off – agriculture begins to mechanise, wealth accumulates from trade, trade grows
     • Take-off – more investment in technology, high tech manufacturing due to rise in investment (10% of national income
       • Drive to maturity – complex transport, individual wealth, tertiary industry expands, investment in social and welfare provision
         • o The age of mass consumption – growth transmits to all parts of economy and country, fall in manufacturing, highly develop social and welfare facilities

2. Reasons for underdevelopment

   • Economic Barriers
     • Finances not available to be reinvested
     • Innovations necessary to lift populations out of subsistence living does not occur
   • Cultural Barriers (Parsons)
     • ‘3rd world culture’ is backward looking – deeply enshrined norms and values
     • Fatalism (cannot do anything to change fate) + resistance to social changes
     • Collectivism (placing needs of social group above individuals) limits individual ambition and there is a reliance of extended family

3. AGAINST

   • Ignores ‘crisis of modernisation’ in both developed and developing worlds (Inequalities in wealth distribution)
   • Reflects western propaganda and ideology
     • Ethnocentric interpretations of development - exclude contributions from sociologists located developing world
   • Ethnocentric interpretation of development – excludes contributions from sociologists located in the developing world
   • Devalues traditional values of developing countries
   • Oversimplified causes and solutions
   • AID has not helped poor people (India)
     • Large inequalities in distribution of wealth

4. FOR

   • Cultural problems which hold LEDC'S back
   • Offers practical solutions to poverty (provide aid, infrastructure, jobs) - South Korea
   • Subsistence poverty has been eradicated in many parts of the world