Dependency Theory Flashcards
Dependency Theory
This is a marxist view that believes that the developed world deliberately exploits the developing world. Inequality is not natural it is created by human actions.
Frank
Development and underdevelopment are two sides of the same coin. The underdevelopment of the third world made possible the development of the developed world.
Unlike moderisations
Sees obstacles to development as imposed from outside not internal. The origins of dependecty lie within slavery and colonialism. Frank conducted a historical analysis and identified 3 distinct stages.
Mercantile Capitalism
Global exploitation began in 16th century when european merchants set out across the globe, trade routes were established which tied these “discovered” regions to europe with favourable terms for incoming merchants by military advantage and bribery of social elites. Thus, global relations were built on corrupt foundations.
Slave Triangle
One particularly lucrative route is the slave triangle, over a 200 year period (1650-1850) approx 9 million slaves were shipped across the atlantic. With exchange for goods and weapons to work as cheap labour on cotton/sugar plantations. Frank argued this slavery helped “kick start” Industrial development in the UK as it resulted in tremendous profits, so a super accumulation of capital.
Colonalism
This is the process where by western countries in the 18th century occupying and claiming ownership of countries often by military force.
Economic systems
Economic systems were destroyed agriculture switch from food farming to production of goods for the empires. Indigenous craftsman lost their way of life.
Cultural systems
Undermine existing beliefs educations and medicine were replaced by the civilised culture of the Empire.
Political systems
Were shaped as Borders were imposed and land divides ripping families apart.
Justification
The Empire though it was justified to civilise.
Neo-colonalism
20th century empires gradually collapsed. But channels of exploitation remained open. Exploitation and dependency now take the form of world trade, TNC and aid.
World capitalist system
This is characterised by a chain of exploitation which tie poor countries (satellite nations) to richer former colonial powers (Metropolis) The result is that nations “sick the wealth for the satellites. The developed countries have made poorer countries poorer and in there interests too keep them poor. Ha joon Chang metaphor “kicking the ladder away”
The World Trade Organisation
Set up in 1994 to reduce notational trade barriers and liberalise trade. But marxist accuse TNC of exploiting developing counties for cheap labour. BAKAN describes TNC as “institutional psychopaths” programmed to exploit and dehumanise people for profit.
However colonialism did bring some benefits to the colonies.
BAUER states rather than “we took the rubber from malysia and gave nothing” in fact “british took the rubber there from amazon jungle” So rather than simply imposing poverty on the majority world colonialism laid the groundwork.
Goldthorpe added
Benefits such ad democratic representation, improved rights for women and improved technological infrastructure.
