Rostow’s 5 stages of development

Question 1

Introduce Rostow’s model

Answer 1

Rostow’s model, proposed in the 1960s, outlines a linear progression of economic development through five distinct stages.

1. Traditional Society,
2. Preconditions for Take-off/ Transitional
3. Take-off
4. Drive to Maturity
5. High Mass Consumption

Question 2

Stage 1: Traditional Society

Answer 2

Stage 1: Traditional Society - no drive to develop technology, agriculture dominated,

Rostow describes the traditional society as predominantly agrarian, resistant to technological change, and characterised by a subsistence economy with rigid social structures.

(e.g. Britain before about 1750).

Critique: This view oversimplifies the complexities of pre-industrial societies, many of which were dynamic and culturally diverse. It underestimates historical economic exchanges, technological adaptations, and non-linear paths in societal development, assuming a universal starting point that doesn’t account for regional variations in culture, resources, and historical trajectories.

Question 3

Stage 2: Transitional / Preconditions for Take-off

Answer 3

Stage 2: Transitional / Preconditions for Take-off
Description: This stage marks a transitional period where societies start to invest in infrastructure and a centralized economy, setting the stage for industrial growth.

– toward industrialization, economy becomes more complicated, driving to develop technology, and make profits (Britain’s industrial revolution from traditional to transition) Assumed other countries will follow e.g India would follow
(e.g. Britain at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750).

Critique: Rostow’s assumption that development requires external stimuli such as colonial intervention or heavy capital investment mirrors a Eurocentric perspective.
It overlooks the indigenous growth pathways and implies that underdevelopment is due to a lack of Western-style institutional structures, ignoring the often disruptive impacts of external interventions on local economies.

Question 4

Stage 3: Take-off

Answer 4

Stage 3: Take-off
Description: According to Rostow, take-off is a brief, intense period of industrial growth, where investments in manufacturing surge and become a significant part of the economy, leading to sustained growth.

• economic growth becomes self-sustaining - people are investing (atleast 10% of income for per capita income to rise - so economy grows faster than population ) and innovating
  (e.g. Britain reached this stage in the very late 1700s).

Critique: The model assumes a uniform sequence of industrialization, that may not hold true under modern economic conditions. Many economies (e.g., India’s tech sector or China’s service industry) have leapfrogged the traditional manufacturing phase, growing primarily in technology or services. This stage also presupposes that capital accumulation alone can drive development, ignoring the role of human capital, innovation, and governance.

Question 5

Stage 4: Drive to Maturity

Answer 5

Stage 4: Drive to Maturity - all parts of the economy are working

Description: This stage is reached when the economy diversifies, technological innovation spreads, and the national income increases substantially.
(e.g. Britain in 1850s).

Critique: The drive to maturity assumes a homogeneity in development that many countries do not experience. Economies may face structural changes, economic crises, or political upheaval that alter their development path.
Additionally, the focus on technological application as a marker of maturity fails to consider socio-economic inequalities that may persist or worsen despite technological advancements.

Question 6

Stage 5: High Mass Consumption

Answer 6

Stage 5: Age of Mass Consumption
Description: In the final stage, economies shift from production to consumption, characterized by wide availability of consumer goods and a dominant service sector.
(e.g. US in the 1920s).

Critique: This stage reflects a capitalist ideal where consumption drives the economy, which may not be sustainable or desirable for all societies, especially in light of modern environmental challenges and global inequality. The assumption that all societies aspire to high mass consumption overlooks alternative development goals such as sustainability, quality of life, and social welfare.

Question 7

Overall Critique of Rostow’s Model

Answer 7

Rostow’s model, while influential, is critiqued for its linear, deterministic view of development and its heavy Western bias. It oversimplifies the development process and assumes a one-size-fits-all approach to economic growth. Modern critiques emphasize the need for models that accommodate diverse economic structures, political contexts, and cultural backgrounds. Furthermore, the model’s relevance is questioned in today’s globalized world, where digital economies and complex international interdependencies redefine development paths.