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theories of development and underdevelopment

The document discusses major theories of development and underdevelopment, including Modernization Theory, Dependency Theory, World-Systems Theory, Structural Adjustment Theory, and Marxist Theory. Each theory offers a distinct perspective on the factors influencing global disparities, ranging from internal societal changes to external exploitation and economic policies. Together, these theories highlight the complexity of development and the absence of a singular path to prosperity.

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Auwalu Tasiu Tasiu Auwalu
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53 views4 pages

theories of development and underdevelopment

The document discusses major theories of development and underdevelopment, including Modernization Theory, Dependency Theory, World-Systems Theory, Structural Adjustment Theory, and Marxist Theory. Each theory offers a distinct perspective on the factors influencing global disparities, ranging from internal societal changes to external exploitation and economic policies. Together, these theories highlight the complexity of development and the absence of a singular path to prosperity.

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Auwalu Tasiu Tasiu Auwalu
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Major Theories of Development and Underdevelopment

Introduction
Understanding why some nations thrive while others lag has long fascinated
scholars, sparking the emergence of diverse theories to explain development and
underdevelopment. These theories, rooted in varying ideologies and
worldviews, offer frameworks to understand the complexities of global
disparities. From modernization to Marxism, each theory reveals different
dimensions of the puzzle.
Modernization Theory
Modernization Theory is a sociological and economic theory that explains how
societies transition from traditional to modern forms. The theory, which gained
prominence in the mid-20th century, suggests that underdeveloped countries can
achieve development by adopting the political, social, and economic systems of
industrialized nations.
The Modernization Theory paints an optimistic picture of progress. It envisions
development as a journey from traditionalism to modernity, much like the path
once traveled by Western nations. Proponents like Walt Rostow argue that
societies evolve through stages of economic growth, beginning with subsistence
agriculture and culminating in high mass consumption. The theory stresses the
importance of adopting Western values rationality, innovation, and
individualism to achieve development. However, critics challenge its narrow
focus, arguing that it disregards the historical and cultural contexts of non-
Western societies and unfairly blames underdevelopment on internal factors like
“backward traditions.”
Dependency Theory
Dependency Theory is a framework for understanding the persistent
underdevelopment of certain nations, particularly in the Global South, as a
result of their economic and political dependence on wealthier nations. It
emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a critique of Modernization Theory,
emphasizing that underdevelopment is not a stage of progress but a result of
exploitation in the global economic system.
In stark contrast, Dependency Theory flips the narrative by focusing on the
external factors that perpetuate underdevelopment. Scholars such as Andre
Gunder Frank contend that underdevelopment is not a natural stage but rather a
consequence of exploitative relationships between wealthy nations (the “core”)
and poorer nations (the “periphery”). These relationships, rooted in colonialism
and reinforced by unequal trade and multinational corporations, siphon
resources and wealth from the periphery to enrich the core. In this view,
underdevelopment is a product of the global capitalist system, where the
prosperity of some is built on the subjugation of others.
World Systems Theory
World-Systems Theory is a sociological and economic framework developed by
Immanuel Wallerstein in the 1970s to explain global inequalities and the
functioning of the modern world economy.
Building on dependency theory, World Systems Theory, offers a more nuanced
understanding of global inequality. It divides nations into three categories: the
core, semi-periphery, and periphery. This stratification explains how wealth
flows through the global economy. Core nations dominate high-skill and
capital-intensive industries, while periphery nations are relegated to providing
raw materials and cheap labor. Semi-periphery nations, caught in the middle,
exhibit traits of both exploitation and exploited. Wallerstein’s framework
highlights the interconnectedness of the global economy, emphasizing that no
nation develops in isolation.
Structural Adjustment Theory
Structural Adjustment Theory refers to the economic policies and reforms
advocated by international financial institutions like the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and the World Bank during the late 20 th century. These policies
were implemented through Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs), designed to
help developing countries overcome economic crises and promote long-term
economic growth.
The theory is based on neoliberal economic principles, emphasizing market
liberalization, privatization, and reduced government intervention in the
economy.
Meanwhile, Structural Adjustment Theory brings the conversation into the
realm of policy.
The theory assumes that liberalizing the economy will spur growth. However,
critics point out that these measures often exacerbate poverty and inequality, as
they prioritize economic efficiency over social welfare. For many, structural
adjustment feels less like a cure and more like a deepening of dependency.
Marxist Theory of Development
The Marxist Theory of Development is an economic and sociological
framework derived from the ideas of Karl Marx. It explains societal
development through the lens of class struggle, historical materialism, and the
modes of production. Marx viewed development as a process driven by
conflicts between different classes, primarily the bourgeoisie (owners of capital)
and the proletariat (working class). His theory offers a critique of capitalism and
presents socialism and communism as inevitable stages in human development.
Marx argued that capitalism concentrates wealth in the hands of a few, creating
a system where the rich exploit the labor of the poor. This exploitation is not
confined to individuals but extends to nations, where wealthy countries enrich
themselves at the expense of poorer ones. In the Marxist view, true development
requires a fundamental restructuring of society, replacing capitalism with a more
equitable system.
conclusion
the theories of development and underdevelopment each shine a light on
different aspects of the global disparity. Modernization theory emphasizes
internal transformation, while dependency and world systems theories expose
the external forces of exploitation. Structural adjustment underscores the role of
policy, and Marxism critiques the entire capitalist system. Together, these
theories reveal the complexity of development, reminding us that there is no
single path to prosperity.
Reference
Rostow, W. W. (1960). The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist
Manifesto.
Frank, A. G. (1966). “The Development of Underdevelopment.”
Wallerstein, I. (1974). The Modern World-System I: Capitalist Agriculture and
the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century.
IMF & World Bank. (1980s). Structural Adjustment Policies Documents.
Marx, K. (1867). Capital: Critique of Political Economy.

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