Chapter 13: The international thought of the Cold War: modernisation theory and dependency theory Flashcards
What historical context prompted the emergence of the study of development?
The study of development emerged in the post-1945 era in the context of decolonisation and the Cold War. (Escobar, 1994)
What is modernisation theory?
Modernisation theory emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as the dominant scientific paradigm in the American foreign policy establishment. It posited that all societies pass through the same historical stages on the road to development, with the right assistance allowing traditional societies to reach the same level of development as modern societies.
Who discusses the five stages societies go through before reaching full development?
Walt Whitman Rostow
How did the promotion of modernisation in the global South align with Cold War interests?
It aimed to ensure a steady supply of resources, labor, and markets while also combating the spread of communism by alleviating conditions conducive to its growth.
What forms did American intervention in the name of modernisation take?
It often involved economic assistance, covert action, and military intervention.
Despite its discrediting, what aspect of modernisation theory continues to influence contemporary theories?
Many of its underlying assumptions continue to inform leading theories of development and globalisation.
What was the core premise of modernisation theory?
The core premise was that poor states in the global South were seen as a ‘primitive’ and historically backward version of rich states in the North.
What does dependency theory argue about poverty in the global South?
Dependency theory argues that poverty in the global South is a direct result of imperial and neo-colonial exploitation, domination, and extraction.
How does dependency theory define dependence?
Dependency is defined as a situation where the economy of certain countries is conditioned by the development and expansion of another economy to which they are subjected. (Santos, 1970)
According to Walter Rodney (2018), what is the relationship between Africa and European development?
Walter Rodney argues that Africa has been plundered by European imperialists, making Africa the foundation of European development, while Europe is the cause of African underdevelopment.
What are the three blocs in Immanuel Wallerstein’s (1979) world-systems theory?
The three blocs are the core of wealthy (imperial) states, the periphery of cheap labor and raw materials, and the semi-periphery, which combines huge wealth and mass poverty.
What are the social, economic, and historical conditions in which modernisation theory emerged?
Modernisation theory emerged in the post-World War II era amidst the context of decolonisation and the Cold War. Socially, there was a growing awareness of the disparities between the developed and underdeveloped world. Economically, there was a desire to address poverty and promote development in newly independent nations. Historically, the rise of the United States as a global superpower and the spread of capitalist ideology influenced the belief that all societies would naturally progress through stages of development similar to those experienced by Western nations.
How can the relation between modernisation theory and 19th-century discourses of imperialism be critically evaluated?
Modernisation theory and 19th-century discourses of imperialism share several commonalities, such as the belief in the superiority of Western civilization and the idea of guiding less developed societies toward progress. Both ideologies justify intervention and control over non-Western societies under the guise of promoting development and modernization. However, while 19th-century imperialism was overtly about territorial expansion and economic exploitation, modernisation theory sought to achieve similar goals through economic aid and cultural influence. Despite these differences, both ideologies reflect a Eurocentric perspective that views Western values and institutions as inherently superior and desirable for global adoption.
What are the contributions of dependency theory?
Structural analysis: Dependency theory provided a structural analysis of global capitalism, highlighting the unequal relations between core and peripheral countries. It emphasized the role of imperialism and colonialism in perpetuating underdevelopment in the Global South.
Critique of development models: Dependency theorists critiqued development models that focused solely on economic growth, arguing that they reinforced dependency relationships and failed to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
Focus on historical context: Dependency theory emphasized the historical context of underdevelopment, tracing it back to the colonial era and the imposition of unequal trade relations.
Political implications: Dependency theory had political implications by advocating for policies that challenged unequal power structures, such as nationalization of industries, land reform, and collective bargaining.
What is dependency theory?
It seeks to explain the persistent underdevelopment and poverty of certain countries in the Global South despite their integration into the global economy. Dependency theory posits that underdevelopment in these countries is not a natural state or a result of internal deficiencies, but rather a consequence of their historical and ongoing dependence on more powerful, industrialized nations.
