Modernization and Dependency Theories

Modernization theory stands that increases in technology will increase wealth throughout the globe and that low income nations can follow the ways that the wealthier take, modernized nations. It also focuses on the social elements which facilitate social progress and development of societies and further explain the process of social evolution. There are five stages to modernization, the traditional society, preconditions for take off,, take off, maturity and high mass consumption.

The Dependency Theory coincides with the conflict viewpoint as it focuses on ways that poor nations have been wronged by rich nations. It is created as a response to Western centric mindset of modernization theory. it states that global inequality is primarily caused by core nations, exploiting semi-peripheral and peripheral nations which creates a cycle of dependence. as long as low income nations are dependent on core nations for economic stimulus and access to a larger piece of the global economy, they will never achieve stable and consistent economic growth.

Modernisation Theory and Dependency Theory are both approaches that aim to combat the issue of development in Less Developed Countries or Third World Countries. They look and discuss the differences between More Developed Countries and Less Developed countries.

The relationship between developing and developed countries are based on not growing cooperation between them but the dependence of developing countries on developed ones.