The roots of modernization theory originate from sociologists Druthers and Townies, who argued that societies evolve through predictable stages towards modernity. Roosts, an American sociologist, created the five stages of the development ladder. The first stage of development is, traditional societies’, which is when the country identifies that values such as patriarchy, ascription, particulars and collectivism all Limit their prospect of change and modernity. The second stage, ‘pre-conditions for take-off, Is when western values and expertise are Introduced Into the country and the Industrialization process egging.
After this Take-off occurs, where economic growth begins, western practices become the norm, entrepreneurial classes begin to emerge and exporting increases. Fourth is the ‘drive to modernity, where reinvestment guarantees a meritocracy society where living standards, trade power and education all increases. And the fifth stage consists of society hitting the ultimate stage of development, where the majority of the population live in urban areas rather than rural areas, living a lifestyle organized around ‘conspicuous consumption’.
Modernization theory has two aims; he first aim of modernization theory is to explain why poor countries have failed to develop and the second aim is to provide a non-communist solution to poverty by suggesting particular cultural values, such as capitalism, which can bring modernization to society. Now this theory In Itself, enables us to understand that this theory has exerted a considerable Influence on the ever-growing relationship between developed and developing worlds, therefore could be said to be useful In explaining the different levels of development in different societies today.
Item A shows the extent of the ‘Modern Man’. According to Kcal, individualism is at its peak in the modern man, when we will experience a ‘low degree’ of contact with extended family… But contact with the mass media’. Some may argue that this is a bad thing, but it does enable us to realize the extent to which societies have developed, which could come to the conclusion that modernization theory is useful. In a developed country like the USA according to Item A, the more ‘modern one’s men, the more likely a society Is to develop and modernize’.
The influence of modernization theory could be said to show us considerable influence on policies of organizations e. G. The United Nations, the World Bank, and the MIFF. These financial economical democracies are said to be very successful societies due to the fact that they have raised the standard of life of the majority of their citizens. It is because of these Industrial-capitalist’ developed world. This could show that the modernization theory is useful in providing an explanation for the differences of levels of development in different societies.
However, some may argue that this could make the dividing line between developing and developed countries bigger; making it more difficult to become a developed country, making the poor seem like it is less achievable to live a substantial lifestyle. In contrast to this, there are many views and sociologists that tend to criticism the modernization theory usefulness in providing an explanation for differences in the levels of development in different societies.
Some comment that modernization theory is too ethnocentric, implying that the traditional values ND social institutions of the developing world have little value. Edwards says that modernization theory clearly argues that western forms of civilization are technically and morally superior’ than the cultures of developing societies. Some argue this theory also ignores the ‘crisis of modernism’ in both developing worlds. They argue that this theory ignores that there are problems in the modern world as well. These are things like inequality in the distribution of wealth, drug abuse and suicide.
It is also noted that ethnocentric interpretations of development tend to ignore the pinions and exclude the contributions made by sociologists in the developing world. They ignore the notion that development must be culture-specific. Carmen argues that modernization is a ‘Trojan horse’, as acculturation is at the middle of the development business. It has been argued that education may only benefit a limited section of developing societies. There is actual evidence that educated elites restrict upward-mobility as they withhold power and wish to maintain it. Modernization also has evidence of ecological limits.
The existing process of modernization cannot be extended to all societies due to the limits of the planet and its worsening condition. This may suggest that if the whole world was to be developed and living a lifestyle where there was no problems, it would involve an even larger amount of global consumption, resulting in possible unsustainable pollution. This could also result in global warming rising to a worrying rate as well as environmental degradation. As Estates and Austin state that in Mexico you must be ‘numb or very rich if you fail to notice that development stinks’.
Marxist and post-modernists have discovered the under-development stage of social damage; development strategies essentially aimed at maintaining exploitative practices. An example of this could be where indigenous people have been forced to move from their homelands, where aggressive advertising and marketing have created false needs for people e. G. Smoking cigarettes, child labor has now been exploited, as well as grave environmental damage to rainforest’s and natural land. Here we can see that modernization theory could only be beneficial to those from a capitalist class.
Development here may not be a positive process if it means increasing social damage and economic divisions and inequalities within a country. In conclusion, we can see that there are endless opinions and meaningful contributions to this argument. We can also understand that modernization theory really does initiate the strong opinions of many sociologists. In my research I did find that despite the many criticisms, it is easy to see that modernization theory can be used as an explanation for the differences in development in different societies.
