DEPENDENCY THEORY

Question 1

internal or external factors?

Answer 1

Focuses on external factors of underdevelopment.

Question 2

Where and who developed this theory?

Answer 2

Developed in Latin America, with Neo-marxist theorists such as Andre Gunder Frank and this theory is perhaps the most radical perspective on social inequality.

• Argues the minority world exploit the majority world.

Question 3

What are the three stages of exploitation that Frank argues? Explain each

Answer 3

1. Mercantile capitalism -
   informal, exploitative relationships were established by explorers like Columbus. They established ‘trade routes’ - but because of its military strength, the terms of this trade benefitted the Northern Hemisphere (15th and 16th century)
2. Colonialism-
   Colonialism formed these exploitative relationships - with rich countries taking control of regions of the majority world - during this phase, existing social, economic and political systems in the South collapsed.
3. Neo-colonialism
   eventually, the colonies broke away, but the damage from colonialism means they can never be truly independent. Thus, whilst the formal structures of colonialism have been removed, the same types of exploitation exist under neo-colonialism.

Question 4

Franks famous quote

Answer 4

‘Development and under-development are two sides of the same coin’

Question 5

Strengths of dependency theory? (3)

Answer 5

• This theory avoids blaming the underdeveloped countries for their poverty - by implicating external barriers to development - avoids blaming victims and instead blames the rich world.
• The perspective questions the root causes of inequality on a much deeper level - rather than assuming corruption causes poverty, it highlights the role of external factors e.g colonialism and neo-colonialism.
• It provides a model of development which sees nations as dynamic and interrelated - we can only understand development and under-development by considering the global context - examining both contemporary and historical interactions between nations.

Question 6

Weaknesses of dependency theory? (3)

Answer 6

• Ambiguity - doesn’t take into account middle income countries - ‘metropolis’ and ‘satellite nations’ are simplistic e.g Canada is dependent on America; could be a ‘satellite’ but it is arguable. GOLDTHORPE argues most poor countries are ex-colonies BUT few counter-examples of nations with problems e.g Afghanistan and Ethopia have never been colonised.
• There are positive impacts of colonialism - BAEUR says that we British took over rubber seeds to Malaysia 100years ago into the amazon rainforest, and there is now a huge rubber industry which is mainly Asia-owned. We also brought tea over to India.
• Doesn’t offer practical solutions; nor does it offer explanations for the fact that some former colonies have experienced economic growth and power over the past 30 years - e.g nations such as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia (asian tigers) and regions of South America.

Question 7

What does Frank argue that the result of these historical processes are?

Answer 7

Frank argues the result of these historical processes is a world shaped into chains of exploitation with:

• rich, ex colonial powers (metropolis nations)
• poor, ex colonies (satellite nations)