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What is Modernization Theory?
A team of people working on computers, wearing headphones. A window in front of them looking out onto a modern city.
Origins of the Theory
Modernization theory finds its origin in the ideas ofMax Weber, the German sociologist who discussed the role of irrationality and rationality in a traditional society’s transition into a modern society (Mayhew, 1985, Dibua, 2006).
Having translated Weber’s writings, Parsons rendered them his interpretations, and sought to develop an approach for poor nations to overcome what he thought impeded their development.
Modernization theory was developed in the late 1940s, and it sought to address poverty, especially in 3rd world countries with an evidently non-communist solution that embraced a capitalist model of industrialized development and Western democratic values.
Characteristics of Modernization Theory
The features of modernization theory are chiefly twofold:
It seeks to explain the poverty of underdeveloped nationsModernization theory argued that cultural norms of impoverished countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia constitute the primary impediments to their progress.According to this view, internal institutions, societal customs, political governance, and economic practices were fundamentally responsible for this situation.
It seeks to explain the poverty of underdeveloped nations
Modernization theory argued that cultural norms of impoverished countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia constitute the primary impediments to their progress.
According to this view, internal institutions, societal customs, political governance, and economic practices were fundamentally responsible for this situation.
It proposes solutions to enable their progress
Examples of Modernization
This also included the adoption of scientific farming methods as well as modern management techniques. The Green Revolution, moreover, reduced poverty, infant mortality and the emission of greenhouse gases.
Moreover, the dominance of intelligence agencies and the military assured political stability. It bears noting however, that Suharto’s administration was far from ideal, and Indonesia, during this stage, experienced the suppression of human rights, corruption, and nepotism.
Impediments to Development
Parsons characterized many indigenous practices, rituals and institutions as utterly hostile to progress. He attributed the paucity of social and geographical mobility in many poor nations to tribal systems and traditional kinship obligations.
Collectivism
The emphasis on group identity over individual identity seemed to create needless obligations that could impede the development of the individual. The expectation on children to leave school early and help with their parents’ farming endeavors is one such example.
Particularism
The allocation of roles based on familial relations in many poor countries diminished opportunities available for competent and talented people.
When, for instance, a government official or a CEO gives a job to someone based on blood-kinship, ethnic group identity or friendship (as opposed to individual merit), the best of human capital would be underutilized.
Discrimination against women
Consequently, nearly half of a nation’s labor force would be placed on a vicious cycle of disempowerment and underutilization.
Fatalism/Ascribed status
When an individual’s birth is construed as determining his or her ultimate station in life, upward mobility is significantly hindered.
India’s caste system for instance, categorized individuals into Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaisyas (skilled traders, merchants and minor officials), Sudras (unskilled workers), and Harijans (the untouchable outcastes).
Causes of Progress
Universalism
Individualism
When individual freedom and personal responsibility are valued over collectivist norms, people are no more required to constantly live up to the expectations of their families or tribal groups.
Meritocracy/Achieved status
In more meritocratic societies, individual effort and diligence are more likely to guarantee one’s success in life than one’s familial connections to people occupying positions of power and authority.
Rostow’s 5-Stage Model
Rostow compared developed countries with developing counties:
Stage I
There is little wealth for investment, and notable, at this stage, are the cultural impediments to progress.
Stage II
The rise of technology and science would improve the agriculture sector, and aid for infrastructure would improve highways and communications.
Moreover, many Western companies would start establishing manufacturing plants.
Stage IIIThis is the take-off stage wherein the economy experiences growth as industrialization, increased investments and political change transform society.This stage sees a nation moving beyond subsistence, to a position which permits it to export products to other countries. Moreover, rising entrepreneurs begin to invest and embark on risky ventures.
Stage III
This is the take-off stage wherein the economy experiences growth as industrialization, increased investments and political change transform society.
This stage sees a nation moving beyond subsistence, to a position which permits it to export products to other countries. Moreover, rising entrepreneurs begin to invest and embark on risky ventures.
Stage IVThis is the age of mass consumption wherein production and economic growth would be comparable to the levels of Western societies.Herein, durable and consumer-oriented products would flourish, and the service sector would become dominant.
Stage IV
This is the age of mass consumption wherein production and economic growth would be comparable to the levels of Western societies.
Herein, durable and consumer-oriented products would flourish, and the service sector would become dominant.
Stage V
Furthermore, new opportunities would present themselves to the country’s population and people would strive to optimize their lives.
Other Related Approaches
Criticisms
Much of the criticism modernization theory has garnered stems from the proponents ofdependency theorywho blame the colonial powers, rather than backward customs, for the poverty that afflicts the 3rd world (Ahiakpor, 1985).
It bears noting, however, that dependency theorists, in their critiques of modernization, have bestowed little attention upon indigenous institutions such as caste systems and slavery, and the adverse economic effects they have yielded.
Moreover, ardent advocates of free enterprise, such as Ludwig von Mises, have harshly criticized foreign aid programs for their promotion of waste, abuse and fraud in developing countries (Thornton, 2002).
Mises (1952, 2008) pointed out that recipients of American aid “pocket this bribe but their sympathies go to the socialist system”.
He further noted that “American subsidies make it possible for their governments to conceal partially the disastrous effects of the various socialist measures they have adopted”.
Finally, the attack on thetraditional familycan be construed as an instrument of cultural imperialism and neocolonialism.
Western activists’ worldwide attempts to undermine the family have attracted much criticism from notable scholars such as Professor Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard Law School and Professor Robert P. George of Princeton University.
Further Information
References
Ahiakpor, J. (1985). The success and failure of dependency theory: The experience of Ghana.International Organization, 39(3), 535-552.
Bernstein, H. (1971). Modernization theory and the sociological study of development.The Journal of Development Studies, 7(2), 141-160.
Dibua, Jeremiah I. (2006). Modernization and the Crisis of Development in Africa: The Nigerian Experience. Ashgate.
Glendon, Mary Ann (1999) “Foundations of Human Rights: The Unfinished Business,” American Journal of Jurisprudence: Vol. 44: Iss.1, Article 1.
Hazell, Peter B.R. (2009). The Asian Green Revolution. IFPRI Discussion Paper. Intl Food Policy Res Inst.
Knöbl, Wolfgang (2003). “Theories That Won”t Pass Away: The Never-ending Story”. In Delanty, Gerard; Isin, Engin F. (eds.).Handbook of Historical Sociology. pp. 96–107 [esp p. 97].
Mayhew, Leon H., ed. (1985).Talcott Parsons on institutions and social evolution: selected writings. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Mises, Von Ludwig (1952/2008).Planning for Freedom: Let The Market System Work: A Collection of Essays and Addresses. Liberty Fund.
Parsons, T (1951). The Social System. New York: Free Press.Parsons, Talcott (1964). “Evolutionary Universals in Society.”American Sociological Review 29:339–357.
Prozorovskii A. (2016). Indonesia as an Example of Modernization. World Eсonomy andInternational Relations, vol. 60, No 4, pp. 95-104.
Rostow, W. W. (1959). The Stages of Economic Growth.The Economic History Review, 12(1), 1–16.
Rostow, Walt W. (1960).The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist Manifesto.London: Cambridge University Press.
Thornton, Mark (14 Nov. 2002). “Corruption and Foreign Aid:” Mises Institute, https://mises.org/library/corruption-and-foreign-aid.
Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Ayesh PereraResearcherB.A, MTS, Harvard UniversityAyesh Perera, a Harvard graduate, has worked as a researcher in psychology and neuroscience under Dr. Kevin Majeres at Harvard Medical School.
Ayesh PereraResearcherB.A, MTS, Harvard University
Ayesh Perera
Researcher
B.A, MTS, Harvard University
Ayesh Perera, a Harvard graduate, has worked as a researcher in psychology and neuroscience under Dr. Kevin Majeres at Harvard Medical School.
