Modernization, Dependency & Globalization Theories Bland 1

Modernization, Dependency & Globalization Theories

Modernization, Dependency & Globalization Theories Bland 2

Abstract

Modernization theory has received its fair share of criticism for being Eurocentric. But it

isn’t the only theory of its kind around. There is also dependency theory and globalization
theory. There are many similarities and many differences between these theories. Are

dependency theory and globalization theory both biased as well or not? Which is most useful for

explaining global inequality? In this paper, I plan to explore all of this and provide thorough

examples to accompany what I find.

Modernization, Dependency & Globalization Theories Bland 3

When beginning any talk about economics, the developments of advanced societies,

political theory, and its sociological implications, certain theories come up quite often. Many

times they are criticized, other times they are elevated and praised. Three that seem to stand out

the most are modernization theory, dependency theory, and globalization theory. I plan to
examine what each theory is, how they compare, and really delve into global inequality in light

of what is previously discussed.

What is modernization theory? Is it truly as Eurocentric as people claim? According to

Introduction to Sociology: 1st Candadian Edition “modernization theory suggested that societies

moved through natural stages of development as they progressed towards becoming developed

societies (i.e. stable, democratic, market oriented, and capitalist) (Little, 2014). Walt W. Rostow

is considered the founder of modernization theory He subtitled his book a Non-Communist

Manifesto as a signal for his understanding of the broader Cold War context in development

thinking. In his work The Stages of Economic Growth he states, “It is possible to identify all

societies, in their economic dimensions, as lying within one of five categories: the traditional

society, the pre-conditions for take-off, the take-off, maturity, and the age of high mass

consumption… When independent modern nationhood is achieved, how should the national

energies be disposed: in external aggression, to right old wrongs or newly created or perceived

possibilities for enlarged national power; in completing and refining the political victory of the

new rational government over old regional interests; or in modernizing the economy (Rostow,

1960).” He believed that is was possible to classify countries along a broad spectrum of

development with every country moving from one discreet stage to the next, while aiding

Modernization, Dependency & Globalization Theories Bland 4

development meant facilitating this transition from one stage to the next. It would take an

extensive amount of time to go into the nitty gritty of every aspect of this theory.

Some of the criticisms for modernization theory being Eurocentric include it confusing

developing countries like Africa with Western aid when it reality this is a euphemism for
exploitation via implanting capitalist economies, ideologies, and western culture as a surrogate of

development. This isn’t the only critique. Others argue that individual behavior in traditional

societies is not rational by any means in regards to a person’s own interests with modernization.

Rather it claims to change institutions whether individual or group like and the group attitudes to

those of a materialist, capital, entrepreneurial worldview which smells heavily of Eurocentrism

(admiremare, 2009).

On the other hand there is dependency theory. According to study.com, “dependency

theory is a sociological theory which holds that economic events in history have encouraged

developing countries to depend upon the support of more advanced nations. This dependence

prevents developing nations from fully creating institutions and infrastructure necessary for their

full transition into industrial nations (Miles, n.d.).” This theory is very similar to modernization

theory in many ways. Especially considering that both theories involve more developed nations

providing aid to less developed/advanced nations. One major difference is that dependency

theory doesn’t have a linear view of five main categories. For the most part, this is a theory that

focusing on the unequal distribution of power via colonialism. Basically, “newly-industrialized

colonial nations expanded into areas unclaimed by other colonial powers (Miles, n.d.).” After

World War II, colonialism disintegrated and shifted into what is now called neo-colonialism.

Like most theories, this theory has a world of holes and problems. Some of the issues are that

Modernization, Dependency &

Globalization Theories

Bland 5

people that rely upon this

theory can never agree on

critiques of capitalism while others rely upon the ECLA (Economic Commission of Latin

America focusing on developing nation’s lack of infrastructure for wealth distribution, or some

other framework. One example of dependency theory in action is the case of Brazil. Brazil fits

the bill for a dependency based culture. Colonial Portuguese settled Brazil, and shortly following

oppressed its native people, while also importing African slaves to harvest sugarcanes. Currently,

most of modern day Brazil is composed of people traced to Portuguese and African descent. This

country has one of the world’s fastest growing economies, but this would not have happened

without this dependency based colonialism. But even with such economic booms, about one of

every three Brazilians are in poverty, living in the slums of big city areas (Miles, n.d.). This was

made very apparent to the world when the FIFA World Cup were held in Brazil a few years

back, and the locals were outraged due to little of the economic wealth from the demand for the

sports going back into its own community being the host country. With everything stated thus

far, I do believe that this theory is biased like modernization theory.

Image Credit: http://hiphopenquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/brazil-protests.jpg

Modernization, Dependency & Globalization Theories Bland 6

The last theory I plan to really examine is globalization theory. According to the

Introduction to Sociology textbook, this theory “approaches global inequality by focusing less on

dependent and core nations, and more on the international flows of capital investment and

disinvestment in an increasingly integrated world market (Little, 2014).” In this theory we

imagine the world as globally interconnected. The core of what this means is that things like
goods and products, people, information, and money flow through the world on a global scale.

This fact is nothing new. Think about it like this. Early humans migrated out of Africa into other

terrains to colonize the world. However the circumstances through which these movements take

place have been change through histories of technological development whether this be

technology, sea travel, print work, media, trains, cars and trucks, airplanes, phones, and the

world wide web. These things both constitute and enable technological development. Theorist

tend to debate on when things reach the level at which things can be described as globalization.

The line is very abstract. Roland Robertson notes the period in which the major globalization

takes off is/was being 1880-1925 arguing that this period marks a structuring of the world as a

whole. This theory accounts for a continual redistribution of wealth and poverty on a global

scale. According to Introduction to Sociology, “Outsourcing shifts production to low-wage

enclaves, displacement leads to higher unemployment rates in the traditionally wealthy global

north, people migrate from rural to urban areas and ‘slum cities’ and illegally from poor

countries to rich countries, while large numbers of workers simply become redundant to global

production and turn to informal, casual labour (Little, 2014).” Despite there being an anti-

globalization movement, this theory seems to hold the most useful for explaining global

inequality. Because of many of the negative impacts of globalization, some of the works for such

Modernization, Dependency & Globalization Theories Bland 7

counter movements have proven beneficial in environmental sustainability, animal rights, labour

rights, etc. I do not believe that globalization theory is as biased as the other two simply because

the explanation for the distribution of wealth is more plausible. On the other hand, it doesn’t

come with its downfalls as made evident above.

modernization theory, dependency theory, and globalization theory. I personally tend to favor

globalization theory. Ironically University of the People offers a course on Globalization. It is

not hard to see the heavy bias found in modernization theory and dependency theory. But there is

much less bias found in globalization theory. This does not mean that a bias does not exist, nor

does it mean that the theory in and of itself is perfect. But it does seem to explain global

inequality the best due to its lack of bias. Whichever view one holds to, let us not forget that we

are all in this together, and that whether one person favors one economy over another or one

view over another, there must be a level of respect for each individual in order for us to have a

thriving society and beautiful world.

Modernization, Dependency & Globalization Theories Bland 8

References:

1. Little, W. et al. (2014). Introduction to sociology. 1st Canadian Edition. Houston, Texas,

and Vancouver, British Columbia: OpenStax College, Rice University, & B.C. Open
 Textbook Project. Retrieved 1 Mar, 2016 from:

http://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/47446/mod_resource/content/1/introduction-to-

sociology.pdf 

2. Rostow, Walt W. The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist Manifesto. The

Economic History Review, New Series, Vol. 12, No. 1 (1959), 1-16. Retrieved 1 Mar,

2016 from: http://vi.uh.edu/pages/buzzmat/WWR.pdf

3. (14 Apr, 2009). Modernisation theory smells heavily Eurocentric tendencies.

Admiremare Blogspot: Footprints of a ghettopreacher. Retrieved 1 Mar, 2016 from:

http://admiremare.blogspot.com/2009/04/modernisation-theory-smells-heavily.html

4. Miles, Denise. (n.d.). Dependency Theory in Sociology: Definition & Examples.

Study.com. Retrieved 1 Mar, 2016 from: http://study.com/academy/lesson/dependency-

theory-in-sociology-definition-examples.html