Compare and contrast the core tenets of the modernization and dependency theories

Modernization

Mar (2008) defined modernization as the process of transitioning from a traditional or underdeveloped society to the way of life of modern Western society. From the definition, modernization is a developmental process that was derived from the steps followed by western countries when they were doing their development.

This theory is mainly used in many contexts of development, like politics, agriculture, religion, economics and it is based on four main assumptions. The modernization theory suggests that development is a linear evolutionary process that should follow the stages and the way developed countries developed. Rice (2012) alludes that, the assumption of the theory is centered on the fact that development is a series of successive stages through which all countries happen through a process of diffusion. As a result, modernity, policies aimed at raising the standard of living of the poor, frequently consist of disseminating knowledge and information about more efficient production techniques. For instance, the agriculture modernization process involves encouraging farmers to try new crops, new production methods, and new marketing skills (Matunhu 2008). Therefore, Western countries' societies are the most advanced in terms of technological, social, and political terms. They go through a series of stages in their rate of becoming advanced.

Dependency

Dependency is a historical condition that shapes a certain structure of the world economy such that it favors some countries to the detriment of others and limits the development possibilities of the subordinate economics, a situation in which the economy of a certain group of countries is conditioned by the development and expansion of another economy, to which their own is subjected (Ferraro 1996).

According to Sharmila (2008), dependency theory is a relationship between two or more countries that takes on the form of independence when some (dominant ones) can do so as a reflection of expansion. Therefore, the relationship between these countries is not equal. The dependency theory views developing countries as politically conservative because they view developing countries as undeveloped because they lack the qualities that developed nations have. This is compared with the dependency theory which sees development as due to the exploitation of advanced nations. Moreover, dependency theory states that there is the core, semi-periphery, and periphery. The core consists of developed countries, the semi-periphery is the newly industrialized countries like Brazil and the peripheries are developing countries. Costantino (1998; 9) postulates that "The final result is the creation of a core and a periphery, with a number of semi-periphery countries in between. The core consists of the industrialized countries, the periphery of the agricultural export countries. The semi-peripheral countries (like Brazil), which act as a buffer between the core and the periphery, are differentiated from the periphery by their more significant industrial production. The semi-periphery functions as a go-between: it imports high technology from the core and in return exports semi-manufactured goods to the core. It imports raw materials from the periphery and exports its industrial products.