Modernisation Theory _ a2-Level-level-revision, Sociology, World-sociology,...
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7/28/2019 Modernisation Theory _ a2-Level-level-revision, Sociology, World-sociology, Sociological-explanations-Developmen
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3/31/13 Modernisation Theory | a2-level-level-revision, sociology, world-sociology, sociological-explanations-development-under-development, modernisation-theo
revisionworld.co.uk/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/world-sociology/sociological-explanations-development-under-development/modernisation-theory
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Modernisation Theory
Modernisation theory is largely based on the view that to develop means to become
modern by adopting Western cultural values and social institutions. It is suggested that
undeveloped societies subscribe to value systems and institutions that hinder the
development process.
Development as an evolutionary process
The leading modernisation thinker, Bill Rostow, suggested that development should be seen as an evolutionary
process in which countries progress up a development ladder of five stages.
1 Undeveloped societies are traditional societies dominated by institutions such as families, tribes and clans, within
which roles are ascribed (i.e. people are born into them) rather than achieved. Production is agricultural.
2 The pre-conditions for take-off stage involves the introduction of material factors such as capital and technology
from the West in the form of capital investment by Western companies and official aid.
3 The take-off stage is the most important and involves traditional attitudes and social institutions being overcome
and replaced with their Western equivalents. For example, achievement replaces ascription and the nuclear family
replaces the extended family or clan/tribe as people become more geographically mobile in their search for work in
the factories set up by Western companies.
4 The drive to maturity stage is marked by export of manufactured goods to the West as the country takes its place
in the international trading system.
5 Development is achieved in the final stage which Rostow calls the age of high mass consumption. In this stage,
the majority of citizens live in urban rather than rural areas and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Life expectancy is highand most citizens have access to health-care and free education.
Modernisation and cultural change
Other modernisation writers such as Parsons have stressed the need for cultural change in the LDCs if development
is to come about. In particular, traditional religions such as Islam and Hinduism are seen to be a problem because
they are perceived to be:
anti-science and anti-secular
ascriptive and therefore an obstacle to both social and geographical mobilit y
responsible for population explosions.
Lerner suggests that cultural change could be encouraged by educating the children of LDC lites in Western
schools and universities.
Criticisms of modernisation theory
Modernisation theory has been very influential, particularly on US foreign policy,
but it has attracted four key criticisms.
It implies that traditional values and institutions have little or no value compared with their Western equivalents.
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7/28/2019 Modernisation Theory _ a2-Level-level-revision, Sociology, World-sociology, Sociological-explanations-Developmen
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3/31/13 Modernisation Theory | a2-level-level-revision, sociology, world-sociology, sociological-explanations-development-under-development, modernisation-theo
revisionworld.co.uk/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/world-sociology/sociological-explanations-development-under-development/modernisation-theory
However, there is evidence from Japan and the Asian Tigers that the traditional (e.g. religion and extended family)
can exist successfully alongside the modern.
It assumes Western forms of capitalism to be the ideal and conveniently ignores the social and economic
problems that are common in those societies, e.g. high divorce-rates, crime, poverty, suicide, etc.
Western encouragement of LDC lites has created inequalities in wealth and power which have led to human-rights
abuses. In particular, the USA has propped up abusive right-wing regimes because they are anti-communist.
In its emphasis on internal obstacles, modernisation theory underestimates the external obstacles to development