Rostow Modernization Theory Analysis

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Critically Discuss the Applicability of Rostow’s Stages of Economic Growth on Third World Countries. Development has more often been associated with economic growth which is seen as the main driving force behind it rather than cultural, historical, sociological or political factors. Most economists view European or American model of development as universally applying to all countries at all times rather than applying to specific situations in different countries based on their unique histories and cultures. Rostow,s five stages of economic growth which are traditional society, pre-conditions for take-off, take-off, drive to maturity, and age of high mass consumption, applied within the modernization theory of development is biased towards…show more content…
Rostow’s stages for economic growth fall under the modernization theory. Napier (2003:10) postulates that the basic premise behind the modernization theory is that societies were in the process of becoming modern rational entities in which efficiency and logic would replace traditional values and belief systems. In economic terms modernization is viewed as being consistent with mechanization, rapid industrialization and growth. In social terms, its goals are defined as increasing individual mobility, controlling the importance of ethnic or communal identities and establishing procedures for equitable resource allocation. Politically, Napier (2003:12) asserts that modernization implies institutional expansion, rationalization of government apparatus, power concentration, some measures of political participation and the augmentation of capacity to meet a growing demand for resources. It is essential to note at this stage, as Haynes (2002:12) observes that the modernization school of thought failed to factor in some wider structural factors which include domestic issues such as social class and structures and the global level, the influence of Western economic and political…show more content…
Similarly, the service sector would begin and this stage is also characterised by allocation of resources towards social welfare and security. Social and political systems would also became vibrant and sustained. According to Lewis (2011:3) at this stage, a society is able to choose between concentrating on military and security aspects like the Soviet Union did during the cold war or concentrate on equality and welfare issues, or on developing luxuries for the upper class. According to Rostow (1962:59), a country tries to determine its uniqueness and factors underpinning this are political, geographical and cultural structure as well as values for society. Puri (2010:136) asserts that, historically, the US reached this final stage first, followed by some European nations and Japan in the 1950’s. However, some criticism has been levelled against Rostow’s stages of economic growth. According to Willey (2007) the model is based on American norms of high consumption as integral to economic development process of all industrialized societies which are characterized by neo-liberal trade policies. The model is also argued not to apply to Asian and African countries as events in these countries are not justified at any stage of the model. More so according to Sender and Smith
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