‘Modernisation theory provides the best explanation of why some countries remain poor.’ Evaluate this view
CAMBRIDGE
A level and AS level
2023
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Introduction
Briefly introduce the topic of global inequality and modernization theory. State your position on the essay prompt - whether you agree, disagree, or take a nuanced approach.
Arguments Supporting Modernization Theory
Cultural Values: Explain how modernization theory emphasizes the importance of cultural values like democracy, entrepreneurship, and meritocracy for economic development.
Rejecting Economic Reductionism: Discuss how modernization theory critiques Marxist perspectives (dependency theory, world-systems theory) for focusing solely on economic factors.
Evidence of Success: Offer examples like Cuba or the Asian Tigers to illustrate how some countries have seemingly overcome dependency through cultural shifts and achieved economic growth.
Historical Parallels: Draw parallels between the cultural factors that contributed to the Industrial Revolution in the West and the potential for similar cultural influences in developing countries today.
Arguments Against Modernization Theory
Structural Factors: Explain how Marxist perspectives emphasize the role of historical and ongoing exploitation (colonialism, neocolonialism) in perpetuating global inequality.
Dependency and Exploitation: Discuss how dependency theorists argue that the global capitalist system inherently disadvantages poorer countries, trapping them in a cycle of dependency through unfair trade practices and control over resources.
Critique of Modernization as Ideology: Explain how modernization theory is seen by some as justifying Western dominance and blaming poor countries for their own predicaments.
Role of TNCs and International Aid: Discuss how transnational corporations and even international aid can be seen as mechanisms that perpetuate inequality rather than alleviate it.
Wallerstein's World-Systems Theory: Explain how this theory views global capitalism as a system designed to benefit core countries at the expense of periphery countries, limiting their development potential.
Evaluation and Conclusion
Weigh the strengths and weaknesses of modernization theory in light of the arguments presented. Offer a nuanced conclusion that acknowledges the complexities of global inequality. Consider if a multi-faceted approach, incorporating both cultural and structural factors, is necessary for a more complete understanding.
Modernisation Theory and Global Inequality
The assertion that modernisation theory provides the best explanation for the persistence of poverty in certain countries is a complex and contentious one. This essay will critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of modernisation theory in comparison to structural explanations of global inequality, such as dependency theory and the world systems approach.
Arguments in Favour of Modernisation Theory
Modernisation theory posits that certain cultural values are pivotal to economic success. Proponents like Rostow argue that developing nations can escape poverty by emulating the development trajectory of Western societies, adopting values like democracy, entrepreneurship, and meritocracy. They contend that Marxist theories, like Dependency Theory and Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory, are reductionist in their focus on economic structures while downplaying the significance of cultural, political, and social factors.
There is evidence to suggest that cultural responses can indeed mitigate capitalist dependency. Cuba, for instance, despite a decades-long US trade embargo, achieved commendable progress in literacy, life expectancy, and living standards. This illustrates that internal factors can play a role in development.
Furthermore, modernisation theory offers a framework for understanding the varied economic performance of developing countries, something that Marxist theories struggle to fully explain. The historical success of Western societies during the Industrial Revolution underscores the potential influence of cultural factors on economic growth.
Criticisms of Modernisation Theory and Structural Explanations
Critics argue that modernisation theory oversimplifies the complex realities of global inequality. Marxist perspectives emphasize the role of structural factors in perpetuating poverty. Dependency theorists like Frank argue that historical exploitation through colonialism and slavery created a system where developing countries are locked in a dependent relationship with wealthy nations.
This exploitation, they contend, persists through neocolonialism. For example, the global trade system, dominated by Western interests, often disadvantages developing countries, preventing them from receiving fair prices for their goods and services.
Modernisation theory has been labeled a form of ideology that blames the victims of a system rigged against them. Critics highlight the role of transnational corporations (TNCs) in perpetuating inequality through exploitation. They argue that even seemingly benevolent practices like international aid can be tools of Western dominance.
Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory posits that capitalism, inherently global, operates through an international division of labor. Developing countries are relegated to a periphery, supplying cheap labor and resources, hindering their ability to achieve economic autonomy and escape poverty.
Conclusion
While modernisation theory highlights the role of internal factors in development, its emphasis on culture risks downplaying the deeply ingrained structural inequalities inherent in the global system. The historical legacy of colonialism, coupled with contemporary exploitative practices, underscores the limitations of solely focusing on cultural change as a panacea for poverty. A comprehensive understanding of global inequality necessitates considering both internal and external factors, recognizing the complex interplay of culture, economics, and power dynamics.
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Modernisation theory provides the best explanation of why some countries remain poor. Evaluate this view.
This question requires candidates to demonstrate an understanding of different approaches to explaining global inequality. Good answers will be aware that modernisation theory attributes primary importance to cultural factors in explaining differences in global development. Rostow, for example, argues that poorer countries can improve their social and economic position through adopting the values and practices that supposedly have made western developed countries economically successful. Good answers are likely to draw contrasts between modernisation theory and explanations of global inequality that focus on structural factors as opposed to cultural factors, including dependency theory and the world systems approach. Case studies and statistical evidence may be used to support key points and comparisons might be made between poorer countries that remain highly underdeveloped in economic terms and those which have achieved some success in moving away from poverty, such as the so-called Asian Tiger economies.
For:
- Modernisation theorists argue that certain cultural values are essential for successful economic development in poorer countries, including the values of democracy, entrepreneurship, individual freedom, and meritocracy. Countries that adopt these values and follow the model of development that proved successful in Western societies can escape poverty through their own efforts.
- Modernisation theorists argue that Marxist theories of development (Dependency Theory and Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory) are guilty of economic reductionism in arguing that poorer countries are trapped in a position of exploitation and inequality by the logic of capitalism. Social, cultural, political, and environmental factors are attributed little value in explaining the causes of global inequalities in these Marxist theories.
- Evidence exists that poorer countries can resist capitalist dependency where a suitable cultural response is adopted. For example, Cuba resisted a 36-year trade embargo by the USA at the same time as raising standards of living and improving rates of literacy, mortality, and life expectancy.
- Cultural explanations of global inequality provide a framework for understanding why some developing countries have achieved higher levels of economic growth than others. Marxist theories, by contrast, struggle to explain these differences.
- Historical studies suggest that cultural factors played an important part in the process through which Western societies became wealthy at the time of the industrial revolution. It seems likely therefore that cultural factors could also contribute to economic growth in developing countries today.
Against:
- Marxists argue that structural factors are more important than cultural factors in explaining global inequality. For example, dependency theorists argue that the capitalist class in western developed economies has generated wealth for itself by deliberately and systematically underdeveloping the economies of poor countries, leaving those countries in a state of dependency on Western nation-states and TNCs.
- Frank argues that global inequalities were first established through the use of both slavery and colonialism. Colonialism and imperialism created a global economy in which the colonies were primarily exploited for their cheap food, raw materials and labour. Local industries were either destroyed or undermined by cheap imported manufactured goods from the West.
- Dependency theorists argue that exploitation continues via neocolonialism. For example, the terms of world trade are dominated by Western markets and needs. This means that many poor countries do not get a fair price for their raw materials, cash crops or manufactured goods.
- Modernisation theory has been criticised by Marxist theorists as a form of ideology that is used to justify Western capitalist exploitation of developing economies by blaming poor countries for the poverty they experience.
- Transnational companies (TNCs) help maintain inequalities in poorer countries by exploiting and dehumanising people for profit.
- Some sociologists argue that international aid is another means by which Western countries can exploit the less economically developed countries.
- Wallerstein argues that capitalism is inherently a global system that is organised around an international division of labour, with poorer countries locked into exploitative ties with wealthier, industrialised countries and unable to develop economically in ways that would free their populations from poverty and inequality.