Theories of Modernization Modernization is the total transformation of a traditional or pre-modern society into the type of technology and associated

social and political organization that characterizes the Western world. Countries develop out of a functionalist, evolutionary, system theory of social development that is linear Development as modernization leading to modern growth, thus involves the modernization of social relationships and institutions, political relationships and institutions and economic relationships and institutions, or the shift from traditional to modern society.The locus of change is the modern sector, centered on the rationalist values of the enlightenment era and the cultural rise of the modern nation state. Modernisation theorists aimed to a) explain why poorer countries failed to evolve into modern societies b) Reduce the spread of communism by presenting capitalist values as the solution to poverty

Features of economic modernization Influenced by keynesian ideas and the Marshall plan.Distinction made between backward or traditional countries and advanced or modern capitalist countries. The goal is to show how countries make the transition to a modern industrial country. The transition to modernization is marked by sustained and higher rates of growth caused by rising levels/rates of savings/investment The engine of growth is the capitalist class in the modern sector, given their profit maximizing, individually rational, modern values and behaviour. Under conditions of international trade, there tends to be a presumption

that such international economic interactions will have a favourable net impact, with the expectation of global economic convergence i.e. the poor catching up with the rich. Links between growth and modernization theory Classical growth theories: Harrod (1939) and Domar (1946) Harrod-Domar growth model; Solow-Swan Neo-classical growth model and Lewis (1854) Dual Economy growth model. The essence of these models is that growth is driven by savings/investment or the rate of capital accumulation.

Deutsch (1961) Social Mobilization: the process in which major clusters of old social, economic, and psychological commitments are eroded or broken and people become available for new patters of socialization and behavior Two-Stages: Breaking from the old Forming stable new patterns Measures of Mobilization 1. Exposure to modernity 2. Mass media 3. Voting participation 4. Urbanization 5. Change to non-agricultural employment 6. Literacy 7. Per capita income

S. Huntington

Nine characteristics of modernization process (according to S. Huntington review of literature)

M is a revolutionary process comparable to the changes from prehuman to human existence and from primitive to civilized societies M is a complex process. It involves changes in virtually all areas of human thought and behaviour. At minimum it includes: industrialization, urbanization, social mobilization, differentiation, secularization, media expansion, increasing literacy and education, expansion of political participation M is a systemic process: changes in one factor are related to and affect changes in the other factors M is a global process. all societies were at one time traditional; all societies are now either modern or inn the process of becoming modern. M is a lengthy process. Hence not only revolutionary but also evolutionary. M. is a phased process. Societies . . .can be compared and ranked in terms of the extent to which they have moved down the road from tradition to modernity. M. is a homogenizing process. M. produces tendencies towards convergence among societies, which may lead to a stage at which the various societies are so homogeneous as to be capable of forming a world state. M is a irreversible process M is a progressive process.

Rostow's Stages of Growth Walt Whitman Rostow (October 7, 1916 February 13, 2003) An American economist and political theorist who served as Special Assistant for National Security Affairs to Lyndon Baines Johnson. Prominent for his role in the shaping of American policy in Southeast Asia during the 1960s, he was a staunch opponent of Communism, and was noted for a belief in the efficacy of capitalism and free enterprise. Rostow served as a major adviser on national security affairs under the John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson administrations. He

supported American military involvement in the Vietnman War. He wrote extensively in defense of free enterprise economics, particularly in developing nations. Rostow was famous especially for writing a book The Stages of Economic Growth: A non-communist manifesto (1960) which became a classic text in several fields of social sciences.

Walt Rostow wrote in the late 50's and early 60's in response to the many seemingly successful Marxist theories of economic development Marxist writers had developed a number of stages through which a country had to pass, Rostow came up with a similar list. Stage One: Traditional Society A traditional society is one whose structure is developed within limited production functions, based on Pre-Newtonian science and technology, and on Pre-Newtonian attitudes towards the physical world. (p. 4) Low productivity agriculture is a large % of the economy Political power dominates economic power Low rates of investment ( < 5% of GDP) Inefficient property rights

Stage Two: Preconditions for Take Off Science (as in late XVIIC Europe) translated into new production function in Agriculture and Industry More general case non endogenously but from some external intrusion by more advanced societies. These

invasions . . .shocked the traditional society and begun or hastened its undoing; but they also set in motion ideas and sentiments which initiated the process by which a modern alternative to the traditional society was constructed out of the old picture

The idea spreads not merely that economic progress is possible, but that economic progress is a necessary condition for some other purpose, judged to be good:be it national dignity, the general welfare, or a better life for the children

Transfer resources from agriculture to manufacturing Shift from regional to national/international focus Must shift away from having children People must be rewarded not for their connections but their economic abilities

Stage Three: Take-off New industry expands rapidly. Large profit reinvested in new industries (see I=S of Harrod Domar growth models). Expanding requirements for factory workers and for services supporting them Expanding urban areas. New entrepreneur class; the economy exploits hitherto unused natural resources and methods of production New technology spread to agriculture, increasing productivity development of a leading sector emergence of new institutions

The take-off is the interval when the old blocks and resistances to steady growth are finally overcome. The forces making for economic progress, which yielded limited bursts and enclaves of modern activity, expand and come to dominate the society. Growth becomes its normal condition. Compound interest becomes built, as it were, into its habits and institutional structure. (p. 7) Stage Four: Drive to maturity for these purposes we define it as the period when a society has effectively applied the range of (then) modern technology to the bulk of its resources. (p. 59) Occurs roughly 60 years after take-off---

Increase in investment (10% to 20%) Development of modern capitalist economy and self-sustained growth Pass to Stage Five: High Mass Consumption V High Mass Consumption Two things happen Real income per head reached a point in which large number of people command consumption far beyond food/shelter and clothing Structure of working force changes that a) increased urban to total population and b) greater proportion of population working in offices or skilled factory jobs.

Critiques of Modernization Modernization can break down traditional authority without necessarily replacing it with modern structures Modernization can cause problems: Psychological stress/ issues of identity Violence and political disorder