Introduction:
Society is a dynamic entity and it undergoes change at a continuous pattern. At times this change and progress is evident, on others it takes place in a relatively silent manner. The modernization theory is based on similar concept and it entails the works of different proponents, the studies, research, observation and experimentations undertaken over period of time to evaluate the impact of the modernization concept. This impact may either be positive, negative or merely neutral.
Thesis Statement:
Political and economic spheres are intertwined and directly influence one another. The manner in which they are undertaken is subjective. Modernization theory is one of those approaches that attempts at understanding the social co relation.
Modernization theory has certain facts and pre requisites that must be understood prior to its undertaking. Unlike any other particular scientific study and experiment, this theory is directly and solely about the variables and relevant factors of society. This may be the tangible entities or the intangible ones.
Other ambits of this theory entail the concept of globalization, global village phenomena, and the means of communication, the impact created by them and the benefits derived from it. It is an attempt at understanding the transition and journey from under developed state of affairs to the developing and ultimately developed outlook of a society that it may bear.
The consequence of change were in form of the life style followed, the economic consideration and up taking a particular profession for living and the relevant social values associated with all the changes that crept in, in an incremental manner.
Variants of transformation and development in a society:
According to the sociologists a given society may transform in its outlook in a neo classical manner, it may undertake the path prescribed by Karl Marx and his Communist discipline or the Keynesian path following which is often dubbed as the center path following as opposed to the leftist or right wing inclination. The history of study and the progress of society can be traced back to the works of the proponents from the 19th century in form of Adam Smith and the other contemporary social researchers.
Micro level to macro level understanding and undertaking by these various disciplines of economic and social understanding allow for better interpretation of the modernization theory.
Element of democracy:
According to the modernization theory, the modernization of society as it transforms through various stages paves way for strengthening of the democratic pillar within the governmental framework.
Modernization and communication:
If one salient feature and direct gift of technology can be highlighted in the 21st century, it is by far that of communication. The manner in which communication is being conducted would never be possible without the technological advancements. Communication has enabled working and achieving what would otherwise be achieved and accomplished in weeks and days. The actual roots of modernization theory lie in the end of colonial powers domination over the colonies.
Assumption of modernization pertinent to economic field:
The theory of modernization spares sufficient space for understanding the process of capitalism and its impacts on the given society.
Focus of study:
While the thoughts and practical actions about modernization theory came to forth in the 1950s, the study of it encompasses the major factors that were the result and a direct gift of the industrial revolution that took place in parts of Europe and changed the overall outlook of social life in numerous ways. Renaissance, Age of Enlightenment and Industrial revolutions were the three driving forces for stimulating a change and pace in the social activities and social outlook of progressed societies.
Impact of World War 2:
The two wars of global scale (World War One and World War Two) had major significance with regard to the social outlook of the European Society. It changed the overall outlook and approach of societal life in Europe. It resulted giving birth a new and faster paced social, economic and political development and prosperity that was associated with Europe prior to the Second World War.
Since the Second World War marked the building of nationalistic states across the worlds which were once the colonies of Great Britain and other European dominant powers, it gave rise to the development of the less progressive states across Europe and Africa.
Hence the modernization theory supports the fact that it was the World War and post war scenario that enabled modernization and an opportunity creation for the third world countries in form of emergence as independent entities.
Critique of Modernization theory:
Samuel Huntington was amongst the few who presented his postulates as a contrary and critic of modernization theory. His work came in form of “Political Order in Changing Societies”. He writings came as a bitter reaction and resentment of the policies undertaken by American government in the 1960s especially in the Vietnam War which did not auger too well for the world power and resulted in defeat on war front as well as the economic front.
Expressing his dissatisfaction over the modernization theory he concluded that there must exist a coherence and resonance between the progress at social level and the political spectrum, and if this was not intact it gives rise to turbulence in the ambiance. He at the same time warned against the negative impacts of excessive liberty and freedom to act and decide on governmental front. He brought his experience to good use through the practical services performance.
Social development will hold good only if there is a more cohesive and centralized political regime in place that can administer over the changes and developmental process.
Two critiques of modernization theory
Alexander Gershenkron’s criticism of modernization theory:
Timothy Mitchell:
In his work “Rules of experts” and Political Economies and Post colonialism he gives an insight of how the modernization took place, what were the social, economic and political factors associated. He has addressed the concept of private property and the ownership of individuals against it. It is the political decision making that allows dominance in the social sphere.
He has presented his critique in form of the study of River Nile and the work of engineers, along with the economic practices and he terms them pseudo original based on the intention behind them (Mitchell, 2002).
In his work “Question of Modernity” T. Mitchell (Mitchell, 2000) studies the other hemisphere that has large depended upon the West for economic and social uplift. In his study he finds many shortcomings with the modernization theory.
Alex Inkeles:
Inkeles undertook the research by studying the circumstances in countries like India, Pakistan, Chile and few other developing countries. The focus of their study was to highlight the obstacles presented by the so called modernization concept that takes place in form of evolution of society and progress. The study aims at analyzing the transformation of society from a traditional one to more scientific outlook oriented (Gilman, 2007, 95).
Dependency School of thought:
According to this school of thought, it was the developed world that exploited the terms and standing of under developed world over the commodities that were basically their own (of the third world countries). One of the prominent figures of this thought was Raul Prebisch. It is defined as the tilt between the state of affairs, possessions and subsequent dominance and exploitation of the strong (developed countries) over the weak (under developed zones).
Although the shackles of colonialism have been eradicated in the post World War 2 scenario, yet economic dependency is clearly on display across the globe resulting in the imbalance of the free relationships amongst the states.
Peter Evans class State and dependency East Asia:
Peter Evans undertook his research to assess the level of dependency in Eastern Asia. Considerable work and study exists that looks into the cause and existing level of dependency in Latin America, Peter Evans for this purpose tried assessing the scenario prevailing in Asia. He established the dependency pattern was under the guidelines and directions of those who provided the assistance.
Direct Foreign investment is another variable and factor that differs between the two regions when it comes to their dependency upon one another. He has given example of Japan and other states that underwent change in its stance. Since the World war II resulted in disturbance of economic and industrial facet in numerous parts of Asia, for this reason there exists visible difference in level of dependency between Asia and Latin America (Petrella, 2004, 87).
Baran Frank Thesis:
The major work of these researchers is also a continuation and acclamation of the dependency and the subsequent exploitation and manipulation that comes along with it. For this purpose they addressed the processes and activities under which the relatively weaker forces( under developed) may be empowered.
Governed Market Theory:
According to this theory numerous countries in the East Asia enjoy considerable healthier state of economic outlook based on number of factors. The most dominant of these factors is the excessive trust in the investments and stocks being placed under the indirect influence and guidance ship of the governmental pillar and finance mechanism. Through this scheme, check is enabled over the processes and prioritization is performed through wise counsels of government.
The structure of Dependency:
Theotonio Dos Santos presented his work in form of “The structure of Dependency” (Hogan & Paterson 2004,165). The aim of his publications was to study and assess the Latin American level of dependency on other developed states and the possible course of action through which dependency may be accomplished. The framework of the study suggested that both the internal and external factors must be taken into account to assess the scenario in an effective way. He is aware of the fact that capitalism seeks relative dependency and complete isolation and independence may not be possible, yet he and his works aim at marginalizing the level of dependency on others.
Their Assumptions about world history:
The assumptions developed through modernization theory are that of progress over period of time. This is accomplished through the democratization of governmental functions, communication establishment and science and technology enhancement and ease of access to individuals across the globe. This theory further establishes that the society travels different phases from authoritarian rule to democratic one where there is complete freedom and command of individuals against the previous times where individual say was relatively secondary. Relationship between politics and economic progress. The process of industrialization has been one of those tools which has aided the overall process of modernization in different parts of the world. The concept of global phenomena is basic feature of this concept under which things that take place in one part of the world directly influence and impact events in other parts of the world.
Limitations:
Modernization theory may not be true representative of all kinds of societies. It may suit well to the European continent, but its rulings suffer from discrepancies in terms of study of Asia and Middle East in particular.
Works Cited:
Eakin, M. C., & de Almeida, P. R. (2005). Envisioning Brazil: A Guide to Brazilian Studies in the United States. University of Wisconsin.Press.
Gilman, N. (2007). Mandarins of the Future: Modernization Theory in Cold War America. JHU Press.
Hogan, M. J., & Paterson, T. G. (2004). Explaining the History of American Foreign Relations. Cambridge University.Press.
Mitchell, T. (2000). Questions of Modernity. U of Minnesota Press.
Mitchell, T. (2002). Rule of Experts: Egypt, Techno-politics, Modernity. University of California Press.
Petrella, I. (2004). The Future of Liberation Theology: An Argument and Manifesto. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.Press.
Wiarda, H. J. (2007). Comparative Politics: Approaches and Issues. Rowman & Littlefield.Press.
