The Modernization Theory Analysis

There are numerous theories throughout the sociological discipline that have defined the concept of development. According to the English Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, the lucid interpretation of the term development could be defined as ‘’the process of producing or creating something new or advanced’’ (Hornby, A. S). The first of these theories include the Modernisation Theory, which could be exemplified as the transformation from a traditional/ pre-modern society (modernization - Encyclopedia Britannica; 2013). The second of the four theories is the Dependency Theory which can be characterised with the lucid definition that states the flow of primary commodities from a third world state to a third world state via trade and thus enriching

Modernization theorists have the belief that all first world or developed countries were initially and originally at some stage of their history an agricultural orientated society that was very concentrated on the idea of values and norms as well as the notion that there was very little division of labour (Ritzer, 2000: 77). In addition, modernization theorists have the assumption and beliefs that all states that are characterised as ‘’First World’’ were originally, prior to their current economic, social and political positions, an agricultural society that had evolved into a modern society by the means of utilising industrial means to increase levels of productivity and thus allowing for the maximisation of profits and turnover. Many modernization theorists have come to the conclusion that traditional or ‘’pre-modern’’ states make use traditional or ‘’primitive’’ methods of generating profits would thus be deemed as ‘’Third

From the 16th century, the capitalist ways of thinking and ideology had dominated the international arena; with the capitalist ideology currently being a dominant political system that has an extensive and comprehensive influence over many states around the globe in the 21st century. Dependency theory argues on the basis that neo-colonial capitalism has an immense amount of influence on the economies of many states around the globe and thus having an impact and influencing their status of been regarded as ‘’Third World.’’ The dependency theory states that many third world countries are suffering economically, not because they are primitive or unchanging states due to a lack of effort, but rather because of the fact that they have been made or ‘’kept’’ impoverished due to many centuries of contact with the more economically powerful and wealthier states that dominate the international trading markets. The dependency theory thus states that the social structure of third world countries are still heavily reliant on the industrial world that is dominated by Western and European superpowers (Isbister, 2006: