Environmental Influences

Introduction

The aim of the following essay is to analyse and discuss the concept of development. This will be done by discussing and interpreting the modernisation theory; exploring two critiques to the modernisation theory which are the dependency theory and the post development theory; and lastly, examining the capabilities approach.  Furthermore, this paper’s main focus is to observe how each theory being analysed places itself around the compound concept of development.

Modernisation Theory

The first theory that this paper will acknowledge is the modernisation theory. Modernisation theory – that was conceptualized by Walt Whitman Rostow – demonstrates a functionalist approach to inequality and emphasises the shift from "traditional" to "modern" society. Furthermore, it became an interdisciplinary – with regards to; psychology; political science; economics; history; and sociology – approach to development (Isbister 2006: 31).

Walt Rostow examines the stages of economic growth and thereafter breaks it down into five stages of development, the highest of which happened to be the capitalist mass-consuming society of the West. In order to understand the modernisation theory the five stages must first be understood and utilised.

The first stage is identifying the traditional society, where there is limited productivity.  Rostow (1960: 3), examines the second stage as the requirements for a society’s steady transition towards development. Thirdly, Rostow (1960: 4), examines the “forces for making economic process”. The third stage is often viewed as the stage where industries expand.  Fourthly, Rostow (1960: 4), states that “the Drive to Maturity” is of great importance because a developed state’s economy will grow and be more sustainable.  Lastly, the “age of mass consumption” recognises that when a state has made the transition from traditional to modern society, the standard of living would have risen and this assures future economic growth (Isbister 2006: 36). The aforementioned stages will also help measure the level of development.

Mkandawire (2001: 290), states that a country’s development will be measured by industrialisation as well as “high rates of accumulation.” Therefore, in order to achieve development with regards to the modernisation theory, these are the two factors that a state should focus on (Rostow 1960: 6).

Many modernisation theorists state that wealthier countries should offer help to those countries that are still in the process of developing by exploiting their industrial strength as well as their technological advances (Isbister 2006: 40).  Modernisation theorists focus on the transition from traditional to modern society.