Modernization Theory By: Deja Curry

Modernization theory: is a model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of technological and culture differences among societies. Emerged in the 1950’s -a time when the U.S. society was fascinated with new technology.

Historical Perspective  Several centuries ago the entire world was poor. -Poverty is the norm throughout history.  Affluence means wealth, abundance, a rich supply. -World exploration and trade expanded.  Industrial revolution was underway-Western Europe & North America  New wealth was created by industrial technology. -Living standard for poor people improved.

Changes in Society Note every society was eager for new technology. -requires a cultural environment that emphasizes the benefits of materialism & innovation. Tradition is the body of knowledge, customs, etc. transmitted down through generations. Societies w/strong family systems have: Cultural inertia which discourages people from adopting new technologies.

Rostow’s stages 1.Traditional stage 2.Take-off stage 3.Drive to technological maturity 4.High mass consumption

Roles of the Rich Nations 1.Helping control population 2.Increasing food production 3.Introducing industrial technology 4.Providing foreign aid $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Critical Evaluation 1 st Modernization has not occurred in poor countries 2 nd Rich nations block paths to development for poor countries 3 rd Treats rich and poor societies as separate worlds 4 th World’s most developed countries as the standard for judging the rest of humanity 5 th Causes of global poverty lie with the poor societies themselves

Statistics  Fifty-one of the world's top 100 economies are corporations.  Royal Dutch Shell's revenues are greater than Venezuela's Gross Domestic Product. Using this measurement, Wal-Mart is bigger than Indonesia. General Motors is roughly the same size as Ireland, New Zealand and Hungary combined.  There are 63,000 transnational corporations worldwide, with 690,000 foreign affiliates.  Three quarters of all transnational corporations are based in North America, Western Europe and Japan.  Ninety-nine of the 100 largest transnational corporations are from the industrialized countries.