The Difference Between Modernisation Theory and Dependency Theory

The contemporary world categorizes countries and states based on their economic mighty. One of such classifications is the developed, developing and undeveloped countries, or developed and the Third World countries. This categorisation divides countries into three categories judging from a criterion of development, industrialisation, economic might, democracy level, and literacy levels in a country. Therefore, there is a sound division of countries based on development, leadership, culture, and economic power. Disparities witnessed among rich and poor countries have triggered debates on explaining the real causes of economic inequalities in the world. Two critical theories have been proposed: modernisation and dependency theories. The two theories seem to oppose each other on the argument of the reasons for the global economic inequalities between the developed and the Third World countries. This paper will explore the arguments presented in the two theories to identify the most appropriate one.

Comparison Table: Modernisation Theory vs Dependency Theory

Modernisation Theory

The modernisation theory focuses on the positivity of accepting exploitation of the resources available for the betterment of the human race. Modernisation theory opposes the holding on to the traditional conformity of a society since such a society offers minimal challenges that trigger innovation and development. The theory presumes that the developed countries have managed to identify ways of overcoming poverty, unlike the Third World countries. The backbone of modernisation theory rests on the power of industrialisation in a country. Improved industrialisation can enable countries to reduce the level of unemployment, raise economic gains for the country, and amass the wealth necessary for the development of the country. Modernisation theorists argue that the origin of the theory can be traced in Western countries, which are among the most economically developed ones in the world. The quest for being modern goes with several societal changes, which must support a country’s transformation towards the modern world. These changes are what the modernisation theorists hold as the primary factors determining the difference between the developed and the underdeveloped worlds.

Modernisation theory supports the issue of being modern to achieve massive development that reprieves a country from poverty. Modernity is characterised by individualism, dynamic, progressive, innovative, capitalist, and the overcoming of unhealthy cultures. These characteristics enable the country to exploit the available resources to develop and progress towards industrialisation. The theory opposes the socialist mentality since it reduces competitiveness and uniqueness, primary factors of creativity and innovation. Therefore, modernisation theory favours capitalism over a socialist society. In addition, countries should shed off cultural practices that are retrogressive or create obstacles to development.

Modernisation theory argues that the main difference between the Third World countries and the developed countries that can be used to explain the vivid economic inequality is culture and level of innovativeness. Therefore, countries should lay down structures that abolish the mismanagement of resources while at the same time improving innovation avenues. Poor leadership, resistance to breaking from traditions, and poor industrialisation mechanisms are the main reasons that isolate the developed and undeveloped countries. Modernisation theory holds that capitalism, a market where sellers and buyers exchange goods and services in a free market on bases or willingness, must exist for countries to develop.

However, critics of modernisation theory argue that the theory is too straightforward in explaining the transformation from traditional to modernity. These changes seem to flow consequentially in what can be argued to be a process of modernisation. In addition, the theory is argued to emphasize normative changes, giving the notion of modernity as how things should be in society. However, the change should be an improvement rather than a belief that those changes are ideal ways. Modernisation theorists believe that all traditional societies will become modern. However, this theory is argued to compel the Third World countries to abandon their practices and copy those of the modernised countries. In other words, the Third World countries take modernisation theory as a neo-colonialism approach.

Dependency Theory

Dependency theory holds that the disparity between the developed and Third World countries in the present situation compels the Third World countries to depend on the developed countries in a depriving relationship. Dependency theory holds the developed countries accountable for the poverty levels in the Third World countries. The improved status of developed countries can be sourced from capitalists’ trade where the Third World countries sell raw materials at cheap prices only to buy the ready-made products from the developed countries at escalated prices. This offers an upper hand in the market to the developed countries, availing more resources for development and industrialisation, while the poor countries struggle with their failing agriculture-based economy.

The dependency theory also traces the developmental and economic inequalities between the developed and undeveloped countries from the colonial eras. Theorists supporting the dependency theory believe that colonialism plays a massive role in propagating inequalities witnessed in the modern world. Colonialists benefited from free resources and labour during the colonial periods, which they used to propel their motherland’s economy. These resources were robbed from the Third World countries, thus killing their development initiatives. The argument is founded on the observation that most Third World countries were colonies of the so-called developed countries.

In addition, the dependency theory argues that the developed countries continue to suppress the Third World countries with international bodies and agencies. These agencies and organisations establish policies to be observed by subscribed countries, yet the policies seem to favour the developed countries. The Third World countries are compelled to subscribe to these bodies based on receiving goodies. Examples of these bodies include the World Bank, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court. All these avenues of dependency where the Third World countries seem to be exploited by the developed nations escalate the gap between the developed and Third World countries. Therefore, the development is arched to the dependency between the developed and undeveloped countries.

Critics of the dependency theory argue that the theory propagates negativity without offering solutions. Dependency theory is also poised as majoring on the past with little input on the future development trends. The main bone of contention between modernisation and dependency is how the developed countries treat the Third World countries. Modernisation theorists believe the Third World countries can benefit from the relationship, while the dependency theory holds that the relationship only benefits the developed countries, worsening the case of the Third World countries.

The two theories seem to be competing against each other, with every theory seeking to identify the most founded base and facts to support the argument. However, the two theories can be seen as supplementing each other instead of complementing each other in the argument surrounding the development and economic disparities between the rich and poor countries. Ideally, dependency theory majors on injustice between the rich and the countries, yet with minimal solutions for solving this injustice. On the other hand, modernisation theory seems optimistic about the relationship between the two categories of the countries. Therefore, the dependency theory can identify the problems, while the modernisation theory offers possible solutions to the identified problems.

In conclusion, modernisation theory is optimistic about the trend of development and industrialisation. The theory argues that breaking from tradition, society’s set up to modern society is the main reason explaining the disparity between the rich and poor countries. Both rich and poor must exist for development to take place. On the other hand, the dependency theory criticises the interest of the rich in their association with the poor countries. Dependency theory holds the rich countries responsible for deteriorating conditions and growing inequalities between the rich and the poor. Despite being arguably antagonistic in their argument, the two theories may not be evaluated based on winning or losing. They can be used to supplement each other in analyzing the challenges of the relationship between rich and poor countries.

Bibliography

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Henry Bernsteint, “Modernization Theory and the Sociology Study of Development,” Journal of Development Studies 43, no. 7 (2003): 145.

Ramon Grosfoguel, “Developmentalism, Modernity, and Dependency Theory in Latin America,” Nepantia: Views from South 1, no. 2 (2000): 357.

Johansen Matunhu, “A critique of Modernization and Dependency Theories in Africa: Critical Assessment,” African Journal of History and Culture 3, no. 5 (2011): 65-72.

Ramon Grosfoguel, “Developmentalism, Modernity, and Dependency Theory in Latin America,” Nepantia: Views from South 1, no. 2 (2000): 347-350.