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Modernization Theory and Political Development
There are varying conceptions of development and as a result, there are different approaches to the topic. However, all the approaches are concerned with the relationship between governance and development. Development is normally perceived as being crucially determined by structures of governance whereas governance is interpreted through and molded by the objective of development. The following discussion delves on modernization theory and its role in political development.
Most development theories equate development with economic growth, and the state is seen as the primary agent. Political development has been identified as an element of and as being closely related to the wider process of
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The differences in the level of control over the environment are reflective of the differences in the expectations from and attitudes towards the environment. The differences between the modern and traditional man are the source of difference between the traditional and modern society. The traditional man is acquiescent and passive, he wants continuity in nature and the society, and he does not believe in the ability of man to control or change. Modern man, on the other hand, believes in the desirability and possibility of change and is confident in the ability of man to control change to accomplish his …show more content…
Developed political systems are characteristic of modernized societies. All political systems, it appears are culturally mixing, combining tradition with modernity, all-political systems are transitional. Political development, is the response of a political system to changes in its global or societal environments and specifically the response of the system to the challenges of participation, nation building and distribution,
Political development is thought of mainly in terms of political modernization. The distinction between traditional and modern politics is in participation. The traditional society is a non-participant; people are deployed by kinship into communities that are isolated from each other from the center. In contrast, the modern society is participatory. The new world political culture is going to be a political culture of participation. If there is a political revolution going on throughout the world, it could be referred to as the participation
International Development and the Social Sciences, pp. 259-290. University of California Press,. Rostow, W.W. (1960) “The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist Manifesto.” pp.
The environment in America today is far from Eden, but there is a valiant battle being fought by many to return the earth to a more "natural" state. Green and clean is the preferred vision of the future1. This trend towards environmental awareness, or environmentalism, is a prominent theme in today’s American society. Politics, industry, marketing, and media all use the environment as a means to sell themselves. With such a high profile, it seems almost unbelievable that there was a time when the word environment was little known or not used. However, the period was not so long ago. Even before World War II nature was referred to as wilderness and wilderness existed to serve humans2. The shift from nature existing to serve humans to humans protecting the environment was not a very complex project, but rather one of many small influences and their resulting effects. Hence, the rise of environmentalism in American society is the result of gradual social changes, which created a shift in social values.
Political globalization is “carried out by institutions and systems, whether formal or informal, that transcend national or regional interests and address global issues.” (Davies 1). To understand political globalization, one must understand what falls under the category of politics, which involves the government, laws, and bureaucracies. Government allows for there to be stability in a country or region, as well as having agreements with the people.
The idea of political culture is found within the state’s history. The history of the state is impacted by the people settled in the region, religious backgrounds, and geography. The history of the state influences the attitudes and beliefs that people hold regarding their political system. Daniel Elazar theorized a connection between the states’ history and attitude towards government by explaining differences in government between states. Every state is different with some common ground. Elazar’s theory divides states into three types: moralistic, traditionalistic and individualistic. The state’s constitution defines the powers of government with political culture bias. Because of the state constitution, the political culture influences the power and limitations of governors, legislative, and judiciaries.
5 Cooper, F. and R. Packard, (eds). International Development and the Social Science. University of
The Problems of Defining Development Development is very difficult to define as it has a wide range of meanings and has therefore been used in a variety of ways, by different people or organizations at different times. For example, geographers will link development with improvements in human welfare. e.g. greater wealth, better education and health. Many geographers will measure development in terms of the countries HDI (Human). Development Index.
There are two main types of political systems, one being a presidential system and the other being a parliamentary system. Both of them have their own benefits as well as their own disadvantages. No political system can be perfect or can always have stability, but shown in history there are successful countries that use either one. Also there are countries that have failed with one of the two systems.
There are at least four different research perspectives about the relationship between development and economic growth. Firstly, economic growth is the basis for social development. Secondly, economic growth and social development are not necessarily linked. Thirdly, both economic growth and social development are not basic causes by each other, but they depend on interaction. Fourthly, social development is the prerequisite for economic growth (Mazumdar. 1...
Smith, R.K. (1996). Understanding third world politics: theories of political change and development. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
A political institution is a system of politics and government. It is usually compared to the law system, economic system, cultural system, and other social systems. It is different from them, and can be generally defined on a spectrum from left, i.e. communism and socialism to the right, i.e. fascism. Linz’s argument is on the description of Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes, which brings the main and important argument of explaining both Presidential and Parliamentary systems. Another important author whose thoughts were referred to political institutions is Seymour Martin Lipset. His argument emphasizes on political cultural-cultural factors rather than political systems. The last individual whose main arguments refer to politics and political institutions is Donald Horowitz. He describes that Linz claims are not sustainable because it is regionally skewed and highly selective sample.
When looking through the topic of development, two drastically different ways to assess it arise. The majority of the western world looks at development in terms of per capita GNP. This means each country is evaluated on a level playing field, comparing the production of each country in economic value. Opposite this style of evaluation is that of the alternative view, which measures a country’s development on its ability to fulfill basic material and non-material needs. Cultural ties are strong in this case as most of the population does not produce for wealth but merely survival and tradition.
The foundation of the modern political system was laid in the times when the world was strangled in slavery. In those moments, enlightened minds in Greek came up with the new system that was there to remain for the next thousands of years. This system, now known as democracy, is a form of government in which supreme power is vested to the people themselves. People have the right to elect their leaders directly or indirectly through a scheme of representation usually involving periodically held free elections. A new democratic government is usually established after every 4-5 years, and it is trusted with the responsibility to cater to the needs of all the people irrespective of the fact that they voted for them or not. Although the minorities may not be very pleased with the idea of democracy, however, a democratic government is certainly the best because it establishes social equality among people, reduces the conflicts in the state to a minimum, gives the chance to vote repeatedly, and creates patriotism.
Economic development is fundamentally about enhancing the factors of productive capacity, such as land, labor, capital, and technology, of a national, state, or local economy, as stated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Economic development influences growth and restructuring of an economy to enhance economic well-being. We experience economic growth when our standard of living is rising. Rather than being a simplistic process, economic development typically is a range of influences aimed at achieving objectives like creating jobs and wealth and improving the quality of life. It incorporates coordinated initiatives targeted at expanding infrastructure and increasing the volume and/or quality of goods and services produced by a community. A common measure of economic development is a country’s gross national ...
Modernization is the term used for the transition from the traditional society of the past to modern society as it is found today in the West. Modernization theory refers to a variety of non-Marxist perspectives which have been put forward to explain the development or underdevelopment of countries. Modernization theory is a model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of differing levels of technological development among societies. Modernization theory presents the idea that by introducing modern methods in "technology, agricultural production for trade, and industrialization dependent on a mobile labour force," the underdeveloped countries will experience a strengthening in their economies. Modernization theory offers an account of the common features of the process of development drawing on the analysis of Durkheim and Weber. Development implies the bridging of these gaps by an imitative process, occurring in stages, such that traditional sectors and/or countries gradually assume the qualities of the 'modern' western countries. There are many proponents of Modernization Theory, such as, Walter Rostow, W.A. Lewis, Talcott Parsons, and Daniel Lerner, however the theory has it's roots in the ideas of Durkheim and Weber. The proponents of the modernization theory all felt that the rest of the world needed to look to the Western model of modernity and pattern their society like the West in order to progress. Modernization theory was developed as an alternative to the Marxist account of social development. Modernization Theory Divides the World into two kinds of societies: "modern" and "traditional." Traditional societies are backward looking : Dominated by religious a...
Economic development has a direct relationship with the environment. Whereas economic development is a policy intervention endeavour with aims of economic and social well-being of the people, economic growth is a phenomenon of market productivity and rise in GDP. According to them, the first chain consists of economic growth benefiting human development, since economic growth is likely to lead families and individuals to use their heightened incomes to increase expenditures, which in turn furthers human development. At the same time, with the increased consumption and spending, health, education and infrastructure, systems grow and contribute to economic growth.