Modernisation Theory notes

Modernisation Theory

Glossary

Aspiration                                                   Something you hope to achieveCapitalist                                                    Our economic system, or someone who is                                                                      successful in it Deffered gratification                                 Planning for money and success in the                                                                            future, not nowDichotomy                                                  A way of thinking which sees things as                                                                            either one thing or the other - only two                                                                            alternativesDurable                                                      Lasting for a long timeEntrepeneurial                                           Interested in running a business and                                                                    making moneyEthnocentric                                              A way of thinking in which the thinker                                                                              assumes that his/her culture's way is the                                                                        only right wayEvolutionary universals                             Found in all societies as they change from                                                                      traditional to modernPrecedent                                                 Once something has been done, it becomes                                                                    easier to do it againPrescient                                                  Having the ability to see what the future will                                                                    be likeSocial Mobility                                          Individuals or families moving from one                                                                            social class to anotherSubstistence farming                                Growing food and keeping animals to feed                                                                      your family, not for saleTransitional                                              In the process of changing from traditional to                                                                   modernTrickle Down                                            Gradual filtering down from top to bottomUrbanization                                             Increase in the proportion of people living in                                                                    cities rather than the countryside

Modernisation theorists say that for a country to be seen as modern, it has to undergo an evolutionary advance in science and technology which in turn would lead to an increased standard of living for all 

Internal factors which stop some countries from developing Traditional culture and values Lacking modern values High birth rates and population growth Lacking technology and institutions like banks

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Post World War II - Cold War 1960s World divided between two competing systems: capitalism (USA) and communism (Soviet Union)

MODERNISATION THEORY

Modernisation theorists aimed to: Explain why poorer countries failed to evolve into modern societies Reduce the spread of communism by presenting capitalist values as the solution to poverty

ROSTOW'S EVOLUTIONARY LADDER OF DEVELOPMENT (ECONOMIC FACTORS) Traditional Society: poverty, primary production and traditional values Pre-conditions for take-off: the West assists development through aid and industrial investment Take-off: high economic growth and investment in infrastructure begins The drive to maturity: economic and cultural factors lead to increasing prosperity for all The age of high Mass Consumption

PARSONS (CULTURAL FACTORS BLOCK DEVELOPMENTTraditional Values block a country from developing e.g valuing the extended family blocks geographical mobilityTRADITIONAL VALUES Ascription -> In the past you did not have to work to get where you wanted e.g the son of a King would become a King. Gender decided a lot about a person's life Particularism -> Being concerned with the local area i.e the community rather than the wider area Collectivism -> The family/community's views are more important than your own MODERN VALUES Achievement ->You now get where you want to be in life through working hard Universalism -> Being concerned with wider areas e.g Nations or the whole world Individualism -> Your own interests are the most important

Glossary

Notes