Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Similarities between Modernization theory and Dependency theory
3. Differences between Modernization theory and Dependency theory
4. Conclusion
5. Works cited
Introduction
Nowadays the rapid development of the word and the growing integration of countries
can hardly fail to affect the development of new theories which attempt to explain
the relationship between countries and the existing inequality between developed
countries and countries of the third world. In this respect, it is possible
to refer to Modernization theory and Dependency theory which, being quite different,
still have certain similarities in their views on the modern world and relationships
between developed and developing countries.
It is worthy of mention that the comparison of these theories will help better
understand the current trends in international relations and the future perspectives
of the world. At the same time, this theories help assess the current situation
and relationships between developed and undeveloped countries more objectively
due to existing differences between the two theories.
Similarities between Modernization theory and Dependency theory
First of all, it should be said that Dependency theory was developed in response
to Modernization theory out of sheer criticism of the latter theory by the supporters
of Dependency theory. Naturally, this fact determined the principal difference
between these theories, but, nevertheless, there are still certain similarities
between Modernization and Dependency theories.
Speaking about the similarities, it is primarily necessary to point out that
both theories pay a lot of attention to the gap existing between developed countries
and undeveloped ones belonging to the third world. To put it more precisely,
Modernization and Dependency theory stand on the ground that Western countries
are the world leaders due to their higher level of development, which affects
practically all spheres of life, including economic, political, social, and
even cultural life (Leys, 210). As a result, there exist a strong link between
developed and developing countries.
Furthermore both theories state that the experience of developed countries is
followed by developing and undeveloped countries, which basically develop in
the same direction as developed countries but still they cannot catch the latter
up and remain in the rearguard of the world development. In stark contrast,
developed countries play the key role in the development of the entire world
and the integration of all countries of the world in the global economy is one
of the major ways of interaction between developed and developing countries
and both theories agrees that this interaction constantly increases.
At the same time, both Modernization and Dependency theories underline that
the relationships between developed and developing countries is unequal and
there exist a kind of dependence of developing countries on developed ones,
though the views on this dependence vary considerably. Nevertheless, both theories
underline the dominant position of Western countries in the modern world and
leave little room for the alternative ways of the development but the western
one, which is viewed as the only way of the development of the future world
in the context of the global economy.
It is worthy of mention that both theories are ethnocentric in a way because
they practically ignore the possibility of the alternative development of developing
countries but, instead they insist that the development of western countries
will be the example developing countries, willingly or not, will follow, while,
at the same time, they do not really admit the alternative ways of development
of countries of the Third world (Preston, 137). However, it is worthy of mention
the example of China which economy is progressing rapidly but its way of development
differs considerably from the dominant western way, but this country does not
meet to the basic assumptions of either of the theories.
Difference between Modernization theory and Dependency theory
In spite of existing similarities between Modernization theory and Dependency
theory, differences between them are much more substantial and it is even possible
to estimate that these theories are antagonistic in their views on the development
of the world and international relationships, especially on the relationship
between developed and developing countries. In fact, differences between Modernization
theory and Dependency theory result from the origin of Dependency theory which,
as it has been already mentioned above, was developed in response to Modernization
theory.
On analyzing existing differences between the two theories, first of all, it
is necessary to underline that Modernization theory views the development of
the world and relationships between developed and developing countries as the
relationships of potentially equal countries which are just at a different stage
of development at the moment. To put it more precisely, Modernization theory
stands on the ground that western countries are well-developed and western way
of development is viewed as the most successful and perspective while there
is practically no other alternatives to this way of the development. This is
why the supporters of this theory insist on the necessity to develop the cooperation
between developed and developing countries in order to make the latter closer
to the former. What is meant here is the fact that Modernization theory underlines
the necessity of borrowing the experience of western countries by developing
countries of the Third world (Scott 196). Basically, developing countries should
follow blindly the example of more developed western countries and this will
bring them economic, social, and cultural prosperity.
Naturally, to achieve this goal, developing countries should develop their cooperation
in all spheres of life, including economy, politics, culture, education, and
social relations, with western countries, while the latter, being more advanced
compared to developing countries should help them achieve the highest level
of development through education, technological assistance and consulting of
countries of the Third world. In such a way, this theory views modernization
of socio-economic and political life of developing countries on the basis of
the example of western countries as the only possible solution of the problem
of backwardness of poor countries since western way of development is, according
to Modernization theory, is the only correct way to prosperity.
In stark contrast to Modernization theory, Dependency theory underlines that
relationships between developing and developed countries are based not on the
growing cooperation between them but rather on the dependence of developing
countries on developed ones. To put it more precisely, supporters of Dependency
theory stand on the ground that western countries are really more advanced than
developing countries but the latter follow their example not just because they
are willing to do so nor because they really believe that western way of development
is really better but, in contrast, they are forced to choose the same way of
development as western countries have already made in order to become a part
of the world community and avoid the isolation of the country or, what is more,
even the intervention of western countries in their policy. In this respect,
it is necessary to underline that supporters of Dependency theory argue that
western countries impose their politics and their rules to developing countries
forcing them to accept western standards and norms, while any disobedience from
the part of developing countries threatens by economic sanctions or even military
intervention from the part of developed countries (Schelkle, 231).
In such a way, unlike Modernization theory, Dependency theory does not view
the choice in favor of western way of development as the panacea from all problems
or as a conscious choice that is really supported by the population and elite
of developing countries but such westernization of developing countries is viewed
as a violent interference of developed countries in the life of the Third world.
Naturally, such a policy leads to the growing dependence of developing countries
on developed ones and, therefore, makes the socio-economic breakthrough impossible.
In contrast, Modernization theory believes in its possibility due to the modernization
of socio-economic and political life of developing countries and their closer
cooperation with developed countries, which is supposed to be a conscious and
willing act of developing countries looking for ways to prosperity.
Conclusion
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to conclude that
Modernization theory and Dependency theory are similar in their views on the
modern world. To put it more precisely, both theories admit the leadership of
western countries and their currently dominant position in the modern world,
while undeveloped countries are characterized by socio-economic and political
backwardness. At the same time, the two theories agree that the cooperation
between western countries and developing countries is constantly growing and
leads to their integration.
However, it is necessary to underline that Modernization theory views such cooperation
and integration as a conscious and voluntary act from the part of developing
countries, for which modernization in the western style is the only way to overcome
the existing backwardness, while supporters of Dependency theory argue that
such cooperation and integration is imposed to developing countries by more
advanced western countries, which simply attempt to benefit from their cooperation
with developing countries and their westernization becomes a way of the establishment
of control over and growing dependence of developing countries on developed
ones.
Regardless, the existing differences, both theories still raise a very important
problem of relationships between developed and developing countries and the
dominance of western countries and western civilization in the modern world.
Works cited:
Gilman, N. Mandarins of the Future: Modernization Theory in Cold War America.
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003.
Leys, C. The rise & fall of development theory. Indiana University Press,
1996.
Preston, P.W. Development theory: an introduction. Cambridge: Blackwell, 1996.
Schelkle, W. (et al.) Paradigms of social change: Modernization, development,
transformation, evolution. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000.
Scott, Catherine V. Gender and development: Rethinking modernization and dependency
theory. Rienner Publishers, Boulder, 1995.
