Modernization Theory Flashcards
when did modernization theory emerge and cause as a response?
1950s-1970s (post-war)
policy: post-war development project
response/critical thoery: dependecy theory
what is the core of modernization theory?
modernity vs tradition
- developing countries will…:
(a) . experience similar process as west (linear)
(b) . end at stage comparable to west - unit of analysis: countries
- obstacles: internal (tradition)
what is a point of disagreement within modernization theory?
debate on the process of change
evolutionists vs diffusionists
what do evolutionists within modernization theory argue?
- society goes from simple and undifferentiated -> complex and differentiated
- caused by division of labour (specialization)
- linear
what do diffusionists within modernization theory argue?
- change is cause from interaction of societies
- diffuses
- innovation has place of origin and then spreads
what did modernists notice about the process of modernization?
- disruptive process: old order disapears -> insecurity and instability -> no moral order
- need a new form of social integration (mechanical solidarity to organic solidarity) (Durkheim)
what is mechanical vs organic solidarity?
mechanical solidarity: traditional; kinship; similarity
organic solidarity: division od labour; professional orgs, common interests -> social solidarity and moral discipline
what is structural functionalism?
- societies = systems where specific functions are performed to maintain
- modernization = complex interrelated changes in econ, social, cultural and political systems
- structural differentiation (specialization) -> modernization
according to Rostow, what are the stages of growth (development)?
- traditional society
- preconditions for take-off
- take-off
- drive to maturity
- modern society
according to Rostow, what is a traditional society?
- attachment to local sphere
- little social mobility
- primary econ activities
- hierarchical authority
according to Rostow, what is a society at the ‘preconditions for take-off; stage?
- commit to secular edu
- capital mobilization
- begin shift in econ activities
according to Rostow, what is a society at the ‘take-off’ stage?
through western role
- more econ sectors
- driven by econ (vs. tradition)
according to Rostow, what is a society at the ‘drive to maturity’ stage?
- diversifying econ
2. reduced poverty
according to Rostow, what is a society at the ‘modern society’ stage?
- mass consumption (capitalism)
2. spending on welfare
what is the idea regarding prototypes and emulators in modernization theory?
- imitation to catch up
what are the advantages of imitation for development?
- tech can be borrowed and copied
- stages may be skipped
- west may assist (transfers)
what is the disadvantage of imitation for development?
difficult to compete with advanced nations
according to Rostow, how is the shift from a traditional to a modern society achieved
- edu, urbanization, mass media
- western role (prototypes and emulators)
- injection of capital + transfer of tech -> push for preconditions for take off
- mutually advantageous
what are parson’s pattern variables?
cultural changes of societies from traditional to modern societies
- affective orientation (family ties) -> neutral orientation
- diffuse functions -> differentiated functions
- particularistic criteria -> universalitic criteria
- ascryptive criteria -> meritocratic criteria
- collective orientation -> individualistic orientation !
what are the political changes in society from modernization?
- through specialization: increase capacity to adapt (political development)
- institutions ability to channel increased mass participation (input and output)
what are criticisms towards modernization theory
- modernity vs tradition = false dichotomy
- tradition isn’t always an obstacle for development
- unilinear thinking
- teleology: all countries move to one goal
- eurocentrism of end goal - normative and ideological bias
- predictions not resulting
in what ways did modernization theory not pan out?
- economically: structural and systematic barriers to dev
- social: violent modernization, increase in inequalities
- politics: unstable (coups, civil wars, repressive authoritarian regimes…)
what is huntington’s revisionism?
- response to instability and conflict in the developing world
- rapid modernization produces political decay (vs. development)
- institutions must channel social mobilization and political participation; but take time to develop sufficiently (institutional development)
- civic polities (institutions channel participation) vs praetorian polities (use means at disposal e.g. coups)
what does huntington propose to increase institutions’ abilities to channel participation?
- Huntington: “stability > democracy”
- use 1 party system to strengthen input structures
- legimitized 1 party rule
what is the post-war development project?
west attempt to jump start development
through:
- massive transfer of resources: injection of capital
- transfer of tech and knowledge
what were the motivations for the post-war development project?
- post-ww2 europe Marshall plan (US aid to Europe) ??
- guilt/moral duty after colonialism
- political/strategic: keep newly independent countries in western camp
- economic: maintain trade relations (resource access)
what exactly did the post-war development project consist of?
- large-scale investment in physical infrastructure (for trade and commerce)
- modernization of agriculture (rural dev) (transfering tech)
- partnerships between MNCs and local capital to start import substitution strategies (ISI) ??
- WB (IDA) soft loans
what were the consequences of investing capital in the post-war development project?
- problems:
(a) recurrent costs not financed and left to receiving end
(b) led to decay of physical infrastructure from no maintainance (lack money and knowledge)
(c) increase in debts
what were the consequences of attempts at modernizing agriculture in the post-war development project?
- Green revolution technology transfers (for higher yields)
- successes: Mexico and India
- Africa: target ‘progressive farmers’, credits for improved seeds, fertilizers, trade infrastructure
- problems:
(a) tech + methods not work on small-scale
(b) implied mono-culture and use of pesticides -> soil depletion
(c) commercialization of agri -> less self-sufficient and more dependent on credits -> heavy debts
