Basic Postulations of Modernisation Theory

Third World Countries

• The Third World Countries are primarily located in regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Colonialism and Independence

• Sub-Saharan Africa had a tumultuous experience with the world system, characterized by colonialism and exploitation.
• Countries that escaped colonialism during the late 19th century include Ethiopia, Liberia, and Thailand.
• The continents mostly involved in the early colonization of Latin America were Europe and Africa.

Characteristics of Third World Countries

• The most salient characteristic of Third World countries is their lower economic development and limited industrialization.
• Most Third World countries are characterized by a lack of industrialization, weak economies, and limited economic growth.
• Countries that have undergone a certain degree of industrialization in this century include South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Dependency Theory

• Dependency theory emerged as a response to the unequal economic relationships between developed and underdeveloped countries.
• The theory was born out of the need to explain the persistent underdevelopment and poverty in Third World countries.

Modernization Theory

• According to modernization theory, Third World countries struggle to develop due to their traditional values and social structures, which hinder modernization.
• The standard of development according to modernization theory is the attainment of modernity and industrialization.
• W.W. Rostow's work 'Stages of Growth: A Non Communist Manifesto' emphasized the importance of economic growth and industrialization in achieving modernity.
• The first step in the modernization process according to modernization theory is the transition from traditionalism to modernity.
• Modernization theory implies that Third World countries must adopt Western values and institutions to achieve development.
• At the level of economics, modernization theory emphasizes the importance of industrialization and economic growth.
• W.W. Rostow's work indicates that economic growth is a key driver of modernization.
• At the level of Political Science, modernization theory emphasizes the importance of democratic institutions and good governance.
• Modernization theory suggests that the transition from traditionalism to modernity is a linear process, where countries must go through different stages of development to achieve modernity.