Modernization theory experienced its “golden age” during the 1950s and 1960s, when it reached the status of mainstream theory of development. Today, many scholars refers to it as an old-fashioned theory strongly criticized for its many weakness and its Eurocentric and ethnocentric perception of the world. However, besides its heavy criticisms and its supposed decay, it is undeniable that Modernization theory left a strong legacy in contemporary development thinking. In this paper I will argue that even though modernization theory’s legacy is quite often seen in a negative light, as it shows how development still remains a fundamentally western value-based project, its main contribution to development thinking has been to highlight the importance …show more content…
Then I will proceed by addressing some of its criticisms in order to introduce the “dialectal” or revised version of the theory, focusing especially on the figure of Samuel Huntington and its theory of “political change”. The following part is centred on the New Institutionalism and the rising of the “Good Governance” agenda, where I will outline some of the main concepts tied to contemporary development thinking that are extremely similar to modernization theory, in their renewed interest in political institutional and cultural factors. Moreover, I will argue that the development project today still resemble the old modernization project in its fundamentally ethnocentric and value-based nature. I will conclude with some final remarks on how the legacy of modernization theory is still a strong presence in contemporary development …show more content…
Two salient historical factors that boosted the formation of modernization theory, were the end of the Second World War, with the beginning of the Cold War and the bipolar rivalry, and the decolonization process of most of Asia and Africa. In this historical context, modernization theory found its roots in the desire of the United Stated to overthrow the Soviet Union and thus becoming the main source of influence for the Third World Countries that were deemed as extremely vulnerable and thus important amenable allies. (Decolonization, cold war and modernization theory, 178). This period was characterized by a rising attention of the international community to the social conditions of these areas of the world, that begun to be conceived as conditions of “underdevelopment”. The concept of modernization was therefore shaped by the association of development with the process of transition of these countries from their situation of backwardness to modernity, intended as similarity with the West
The Gilded Age led to Progressive reform, because America had big corporations that had business that corrupted government officials. The Progressive reform started in 1890s to the 1920s until they could get it settled. The people started to fight against the monopolies. The people fought until they got what they wanted.
After the War of 1812, the United States underwent periods of cultural, governmental and social reform instigated by the population’s push for increased democracy, freedom, and rights. This time, The Second Great Awakening, changed citizens’ views on religion, morals, rights and life values up to and past the death of Zachary Taylor in 1850. Reform movements commenced by the populous focused on women’s rights, slavery, suffrage or improvement of government facilities. The restructuring of prisons yielded the most success by the reform movements, and the reformation of religion was the largest change on a social
The Progressive Reform Movement Many Historians have different views on how history events occurred. The Progressive Reform movement is a common event historians talk about. Historians have had conflict about who the progressives were, who they represented, and who the reformers envisioned. A few historians who have given their opinion on the Progressive Reform Movement are George mowry, Joseph Huthmacher, and Robert Wiebe.
Often times, many people are associated with the Progressive Era. However, the most important people in the time period are the presidents, because they are the people in charge of making changes to politics and helping society, whether it be about consumers, women, children, nature, or otherwise. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson made great impacts during the Progressive Era. Most of the changes that happened at that time still impact our lives today.
The Progressive Era occurred between the 1880s and the 1910s and comprised of recognizing the social and financial issues connected with the industrialization of America and hoped to make change. The reformers of the Progressive Era had four fundamental objectives: "making governmental issues more successful, restricting the force of huge business, improving neediness, and advancing social equity" (Henretta, Edwards and Self, 2012). This means the Progressives, made up of urban and working class reformers, needed to enhance the political framework, face destitution and increment the measure of association by the administration into the economy. Notwithstanding the previously said objectives, the Progressives additionally searched out change
Progressive Era Reforms During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the United States was experiencing a time of widespread reform. This movement brought great changes to multiple fields and areas in the United States. These reforms were ideas that improved the quality of life for working and normal citizens in the United States. Two such examples of these movements are found in reforms made within the working and living conditions across America.
In the twentieth century, America focused on responding to problems that emerged during the transformation from a rural agriculture society into an urban industrial one. A theme that sparked all Progressive reform was to use government for social welfare, rather than letting issues cure on their own. During this era, each state served as laboratories for democracy. By using government as an agent, reformers attacked child labor, corporate corruption, poverty, etc. Reformers attacked child labor, corporate corruption, over working etc.
Education Throughout the 1800s, reform movements such as temperance, prison reform, mental health care, and education were put into motion. The most important reform movement being education. Education was what led to women suffrage, education is what led abolitionists to fight against slavery, and education was low quality. It is important for everyone because education helps people grow and develop intellectually as well as become successful. Education reform was the most important reform movement of the 1800s because education affects everyone.
The Progressive era was widespread social activism and political reform from 1890-1920. . This was to help stop problems caused by corruption in the goverment. They wanted senators be elected was only if chosen by state legislates but the only way senators could be elected was if they were elected by citizens. This movement pointed out political machines and bosses. Progressives soon realized that improving conditions for the poor required broader political efforts at both the state and federal levels.”
The Progressive Era was a period of economic, political, and social reform in the United States. The era began in the 1890 's, after the severe depression of the Panic of 1893 was coming to a close, and ended when the United States entered World War I in 1917. The main objectives of the movement were eliminating problems caused by urbanization, immigration, industrialization, and corruption in government. At the end of the Progressive Era in 1917, the movement had successfully taken strides in expanding democracy and regulating the economy. The Progressive Era impacted the development of politics by requiring the government to step in and make changes, ultimately resulting in a stronger and more powerful direct democracy.
John Bodley’s article, “Price of Progress”, argues that America and other developed countries worry about economic development less than developing countries. The economies in developed countries believe that every culture should be full of progress. Progress in economies is defined by how high your income is, how high your standard of living is, greater security and how good your health is. The most common used measure of progress is one’s standard of living. The lowest class of people is the tribal people who have different cultures and lifestyles and they find ways to survive on their own.
"The price we pay to assume technology 's power is alienation. The toll can be particularly with our intellectual technologies. The tools of the mind amplify, and, in turn, numb the most intimate, the most human, of our natural capacities -- those for reason, perception, memory, emotion." (Carr 221) Ultimately, I agree with what Carr author of "The Shallows" has stated in this quote.
The Progressive Era came to an end with World War I as the war exposed humanity's potential for large-scale cruelty (Social Welfare History Project, 2017). National politics took a part in the ending of the Progressive era. The Red Scare was a part of that because America had a fear that the United States would be vulnerable to a communist takeover (Schultz, 2013). America was not meant to be a communist country. Another issue they faced was with race.
The first production of the Model T was produced on August 12, 1908. On May 26, 1927, the 15 millionth Model T rolled off the assembly line at Ford's factory in Michigan. Today there are still fords being produced. This changed the Progressive Era, because the car became a demand and became powerful in the industrial world.
Thank you Aunt Bessie for giving me the opportunity to learn about the progressive era and letting me give your money to the three reforms I chose. I was very intrigued when I started researching about these four progressive reforms. Some things I found out were atrocious and the others just plain out disgusting. Although women 's suffrage is a huge issue, deforestation, child labor, and food safety struck me the most deserving. The progressive era was a time from about 1900 to 1920.