Development theory
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Development theory is a collection of theories about how desirable change in society is best achieved. Such theories draw on a variety of social science disciplines and approaches. In this article, multiple theories are discussed, as are recent developments with regard to these theories. Depending on which theory that is being looked at, there are different explanations to the process of development and their inequalities.
Modernization theory
Modernization theory is used to analyze the processes in which modernization in societies take place. The theory looks at which aspects of countries are beneficial and which constitute obstacles for
Sociological and anthropological modernization theory
The earliest principles of modernization theory can be derived from the idea of
Other scientists who have contributed to the development of modernization theory are: David Apter, who did research on the political system and history of democracy; Seymour Martin Lipset, who argued that economic development leads to social changes which tend to lead to democracy; David McClelland, who approached modernization from the psychological side with his motivations theory; and Talcott Parsons who used his pattern variables to compare backwardness to modernity.
Linear stages of growth model
The linear stages of growth model is an economic model which is heavily inspired by the
According to the linear stages of growth model, a correctly designed massive injection of
The
The Rostow model has serious flaws, of which the most serious are: (1) The model assumes that development can be achieved through a basic sequence of stages which are the same for all countries, a doubtful assumption; (2) The model measures development solely by means of the increase of GDP per capita; (3) The model focuses on characteristics of development, but does not identify the causal factors which lead development to occur. As such, it neglects the
Economic modernization theories such as Rostow's stages model have been heavily inspired by the
Because of the focus on the need for investments in capital, the Linear Stages of Growth Models are sometimes referred to as suffering from ‘capital fundamentalism’.[8]
Critics of modernization theory
Modernization theory observes traditions and pre-existing institutions of so-called "primitive" societies as obstacles to modern economic growth. Modernization which is forced from outside upon a society might induce violent and radical change, but according to modernization theorists it is generally worth this side effect. Critics point to traditional societies as being destroyed and slipping away to a modern form of poverty without ever gaining the promised advantages of modernization.
Structuralism
Structuralism is a development theory which focuses on structural aspects which impede the economic growth of developing countries. The
Structuralists argue that the only way Third World countries can develop is through action by the state. Third world countries have to push industrialization and have to reduce their dependency on trade with the First World, and trade among themselves.
The roots of structuralism lie in
Dependency theory
Dependency theory is essentially a follow-up to structuralist thinking, and shares many of its core ideas. Whereas structuralists did not consider that development would be possible at all unless a strategy of delinking and rigorous
Dependency theory states that poor nations provide
In addition to its structuralist roots, dependency theory has much overlap with
Basic needs
The basic needs model was introduced by the
Proponents of basic needs have argued that elimination of
Neoclassical theory
Neoclassical development theory has it origins in its predecessor:
Neoclassical development theory became influential towards the end of the 1970s, fired by the election of Margaret Thatcher in the UK and Ronald Reagan in the USA. Also, the World Bank shifted from its Basic Needs approach to a neoclassical approach in 1980. From the beginning of the 1980s, neoclassical development theory really began to roll out.
Structural adjustment
One of the implications of the neoclassical development theory for developing countries were the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) which the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund wanted them to adopt. Important aspects of those SAPs include:
- Fiscal austerity (reduction in government spending)
- Privatization (which should both raise money for governments and improve efficiency and financial performance of the firms involved)
- global market)
- Retrenchment of the government and deregulation (in order to stimulate the free market)
These measures are more or less reflected by the themes which were identified by the Institute of International Economics which were believed to be necessary for the recovery of
Recent trends
Post-development theory
Postdevelopment theory is a
According to postdevelopment theorists, the idea of development is just a 'mental structure' (
Postdevelopment proposes a vision of society which removes itself from the ideas which currently dominate it. According to Arturo Escobar, postdevelopment is interested instead in local culture and knowledge, a critical view against established sciences and the promotion of local grassroots movements. Also, postdevelopment argues for structural change in order to reach solidarity, reciprocity, and a larger involvement of traditional knowledge.
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (
Opponents of the implications of sustainable development often point to the environmental
Human development theory
Human development theory is a theory which uses ideas from different origins, such as ecology, sustainable development, feminism and welfare economics. It wants to avoid normative politics and is focused on how social capital and instructional capital can be deployed to optimize the overall value of human capital in an economy.
See also
- Development (disambiguation)
- Ecological modernization theory
- Economic development
- International development
- World-systems theory
- Progress
- Progressivism
- Development-induced displacement
- Manifest destiny
- White mans burden
- Civilizing mission
- Christian mission
- White savior
References
- ^ "The Division of Labor in Society (1893)". Durkheim.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ Khun, Alex (2008-08-06). "Inform Educate Action: Critical Review of Modernisation Theory". Ourdevelopment.blogspot.nl. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ .
- ^ a b "W.W. Rostow, The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist Manifesto (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1960), Chapter 2, "The Five Stages of Growth-A Summary," pp. 4-16". Mtholyoke.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-03-02. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2012-06-25.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "'Big". Professor-frithjof-kuhnen.de. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ "The Lewis Theory of Development". Scribd.com. 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ "Trade Research – Report Details". Econ.worldbank.org. 1994-04-30. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ http://eugeniomiravete.com/papers/Infant_Industry_Argument_Miravete01.pdf Archived 2021-06-24 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
- ^ [1] Archived March 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ ""Dependency Theory: An Introduction," Vincent Ferraro, Mount Holyoke College, July 1966". Mtholyoke.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-06-01. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ "Internet History Sourcebooks". Fordham.edu. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ http://www.faculty.rsu.edu/users/f/felwell/www/Theorists/Wallerstein/Presentation/Wallerstein.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- JSTOR 762098.
- ISBN 1-85649-044-0.
- ISBN 0-87663-165-0
- ISBN 978-0-19-289330-7. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
Further reading
- M. P. Cowen and R. W. Shenton, Doctrines of Development, Routledge (1996), ISBN 978-0-415-12516-1.
- Peter W. Preston, Development Theory: An Introduction to the Analysis of Complex Change, Wiley-Blackwell (1996), ISBN 978-0-631-19555-9.
- Peter W. Preston, Rethinking Development, Routledge & Kegan Paul Books Ltd (1988), ISBN 978-0-7102-1263-4.
- ISBN 1-57230-489-8
- Tourette, J. E. L. (1964), Technological change and equilibrium growth in the Harrod-Domar model. Kyklos, 17: 207–226.
- The Division of Labor in Society. Trans. Lewis A. Coser. New York: Free Press, 1997, pp. 39, 60, 108.
- John Rapley (2007), Understanding Development. Boulder, London: Lynne Rienner Publishers
- Meadows et al. (1972), ISBN 0-87663-165-0
- Hunt, D. (1989), Economic Theories of Development: An Analysis of Competing Paradigms. London: Harvester Wheatsheaf
- Greig, A., D. Hulme and M. Turner (2007). "Challenging Global Inequality. Development Theory and Practice in the 21st century". Palgrave Macmillan, New York.