Dependency Theory Flashcards
what is the dominant view of dependency theory
The dominant view of dependency theorists is that there is a dominant world capitalist system that relies on a division of labour between the rich ‘core’ countries and poor ‘peripheral’ countries.
Developing countries are deliberately kept underdeveloped by the west so they can provide cheap labour and materials.
why are poorer countries kept underdeveloped by the ricker developed countries
He said it was in the interests of rich capitalist countries to keep some other countries poor. For him this was deliberate & prevented development.
Preventing development means we can extract material and labour value from poor countries while also selling them our technology and expertise. This is underdevelopment
Summarise the view of history that dependency theorists have?
stage 1: mercantilism
stage 2: colonialism
stage 3: neocolonialism
summarise neocolonialism
taking charge of other countries with investment or aid and exploiting their population/natural resources
which country shows underdevelopment by a colonial power, even after achieving independence?
Frank noted that as countries gained their political independence from their former colonial masters, most remained dependent.
India shows underdevelopment by a colonial power. This made them dependent on Western countries for investment even after 1947
what did dependency theorists believe about the permanance of underdevelopment
For dependency theorists, underdevelopment appears permanent; the only way out of dependency is for an underdeveloped nation to escape from the capitalist system is through taking action rather than relying on outside help
how is dependency theory limited in providing a guide for underdeveloped countries for approaching development
Dependency theory never provided much guidance to Third World countries on how to develop, it has a pessimistic message that any development would be limited. Dependency theory can be seen more as an analysis of some of the obstacles to development than as a guide to action.
how has dependency theory been limited by the success of global capitalism
Since 1990, global capitalism is the preferred system. More than 1.2 billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty and child mortality has dropped by more than half.
Paul Collier’s theory of the bottom billion.
He argues that the causes of underdevelopment cannot be reduced to a history of exploitation. He argues that factors such as civil wars, ethnic tensions and being landlocked with poor neighbours are correlated with underdevelopment not just colonialism.
Historical Perspective and The importance of colonialism
the economic success of many rich countries have been achieved by the legacy of colonialism- the exploitation of the people and resources in poorer countries through direct political control
colonialism has almost disappeared but neocolonialism is the essence of the world capitalist economy
Critiques of Dependency Theory
- Over-emphasis of the capitalist world system as the cause of global inequality.
- Ignores the fact that some poor countries have little contact with rich ones. Some that do have contact have benefitted from the arrangement through economic growth.
to what extent can it be argued that dependency theory oversimplifies the world.
There are former colonies that have prospered and developed. If the rich imperial powers are so dominant, why have they allowed some countries to develop?
Why is there inequality between developing countries?
it furthermore ignores the presence of poverty in the developed world.
strengths of dependency theory in its criticisms of modernisation theory
Dependency theory does put global inequality in a historical context and successfully undermines
some key aspects of modernisation theory. It also influenced the development of world systems
theory.
