Modernisation Theory

Question 1

Modernisation theory aims too

Answer 1

Explain my poorer countries fail to evolve into modern societies. And reduce the spread of communism by presenting capitalist values as a solution to poverty. Their basic principles are heavily influenced by darwinism as like an living organism societies evolve until they reach modernity.

Question 2

Traditional society

Answer 2

This stage is characterised by the Limited and unsophisticated Technology. Only enough food is produced to survive. They live in small communities and are extremely interdependent. This is subsistence living.

Question 3

Preconditions for take off

Answer 3

Eventually there are innovations in technology and they begin to revolutionise, production becomes more efficient so surplus can be sold for a profit.

Question 4

Take off

Answer 4

This is the emerge of entrepreneurs who will reinvest profits in newer technologies and infrastructure - thus generating further profits. This is a period of rapid innovation and industrialisation and growth. Starts to export manufactured goods to the developed world and wealth trickles down.

Question 5

Drive to maturity

Answer 5

Industrialisation and growth is self-sustaining and spreads. New institutions such as education and healthcare and infrastructure emerge. And political organisations needed to manage the increasingly sophisticated economy.

Question 6

Age of Mass consumption

Answer 6

For Rostow this is the point of social maturity and modernity was characterised by an age of mass consumption. Economic activity is at a consistent high level and workers wages rise. The demand for good transcends the basic needed.

Question 7

Sets out to look at underdevelopment

Answer 7

Sets out to respond to a key problem, there are huge amounts of the world poor and becoming poorer. They stated that the majority of these counties are stuck at rostows traditional stage. They set out to identify the barriers which were preventing the development this producing poverty.

Question 8

Economic barriers

Answer 8

The developing counties are stuck in a cycle of poverty as they cannot produce a surplus.

Question 9

Cultural Barriers - Parsons

Answer 9

Stated that traditional values block a country for developing e.g. valuing the extended family, blocks geographical mobility - he describes them as backwards looking. Ascription not achievement collectivism not individual pursuit of wealth.

Question 10

Economic catalysts- ODA

Answer 10

Injections of capitalism should be given by poor countries, to get out of the cycle poverty.

Question 11

Economic catalysts - FDI

Answer 11

Encourages TNC’s to set up their factories in developing countries to provide jobs infrastructure and technology.

Question 12

Kerr

Answer 12

Focuses on cultual factors he believed that countries need western style politics and social values to develop.

Question 13

Cultural catalysts

Answer 13

Simply throwing money at the majority world will never produce sustained progress investment need to be accompanied by a spread of “modern” values producing a entrepreneurial middle class to reinvest profits.

Question 14

Educlation - Hoselitz

Answer 14

We need to encourage western educations such ad a meritocracy this promotes competition and changes values.

Question 15

Mass media

Answer 15

Spreads western values and promotes western lifestyle.

Question 16

Urbanisation

Answer 16

Encourages movement to the city so people are not as reliant on extended family.

Question 17

Positives about Modernisation

Answer 17

This theory provides solutions ODI and FID.
Parsons and Hoselitz raise the issue that culture is a determinate of development it is more than just an economic reform “simply throwing money will not necessarily improve those countries.

Question 18

Ethnocentric

Answer 18

Assumes that western industrial is a superior form of society, but the america dream is not true as the west does actually have high gaps between rich and poor.

Question 19

Cultural Imperalism

Answer 19

It forces western culture onto the developing world and undermines alternative cultures.

Question 20

Oversimplification

Answer 20

The theory assumes that poverty is a natural and causeless state as they ignored external factors such as the exploitation by TNC’s and the impact of colonialism.

Question 21

Environment

Answer 21

Modernisation theory emphasises on industrialtion leads to a worring increase in pollution there are simply not enough resources 5 planets if everyone lived liked the average american.