Sociology Essay: Modernization and Dependency Theories Comparison

This sociology essay delves into the core concepts of modernization and dependency theories, offering a comprehensive comparison of their perspectives on societal development and global dynamics. The essay begins by defining modernization theory as a framework for understanding social evolution, emphasizing the adoption of modern practices and technologies. It explores the pros and cons of this theory, including its impact on globalization, democratization, and technology's role in societal change. The essay then transitions to dependency theory, which critiques the unequal power relations between developed and underdeveloped nations, stemming from colonialism and neocolonialism. It presents the advantages and disadvantages of dependency theory, highlighting its influence on contemporary global issues. The essay concludes by evaluating how both theories reflect the current global situation, providing a nuanced understanding of their respective strengths and limitations in explaining complex social and economic phenomena.

SOCIOLOGY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Modernisation theory..................................................................................................................1
Pros and cons of Modernisation theory.......................................................................................3
Impact of modernisation theory on contemporary global situation............................................4
Dependency theory......................................................................................................................5
Pros and cons of Dependency theory..........................................................................................6
Impact of dependency theory on contemporary global situation................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Sociology refers to a scientific study of society considering patterns of social
relationships, culture and interaction. It includes aspect of diversity ranging from crime to
religion, family to state, from divisions to race and social class to shared belied of similar culture
(Cicourel, 2017). However, it involves understanding about behaviour and relationships by
analysing the way of human actions & consciousness that shape surrounding cultural as well as
social structures. The present essay is based on Modernisation theory and Dependency theory in
order to analyse respective perspectives. It will focus on comparison and contrasting between
these two theories and evaluate relevant views. The pros and cons connected with these
perspectives and their reflection on contemporary global situations is given below.
MAIN BODY
Topic: Compare and contrast Modernization Theory with either Dependency Theory or
the
World System perspective. What are the pros and cons associated with these perspectives
and which best reflect the contemporary global situation? In addition to the articles you
have found you should also utilise the required readings included in this course.
Modernisation theory
Modernisation theory can be described as an approach which study about the procedures
related to social evolution and development of societies. It includes the criterion of determining
effective social variables that are helpful to contribute in progress as well as development of the
society. However, it has been analysed that theory of modernisation cam be considered as a
subject of criticism that takes place between free market ideologist, world systems theorists,
globalisation theorist, dependency theorist and socialist (Wexler, 2017). Basically, it is observed
that modernisation theory is not only focus on change in the society but also responsible to
respond to that modification in society. Meanwhile, it has been analysed that this theory has a
criterion to consider internal dynamics at the time of referring cultural and social structures along
with the adaptation of new technologies.
At the other hand, this theory focus to maintain traditional societies along with
facilitating development as they become capable to adopt additional modern practices. It is
necessary to increase capabilities of people so that they can grab more new practices which are
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much wealthier as well as powerful. These procedures are helpful citizens to become free for
enjoying the higher standards of living. Basically, it is essential to make an appropriate criterion
that is supportive to improve abilities and way of thinking of people to boost up their wealth.
However, it has been analysed that modernisation can be considered as a procedures that consist
urbanisation, rationalisation, bureaucracy, mass consumption, adoption of democracy and
industrialisation (Wacquant, 2015). In addition to this, it is determined that pre-modern or
traditional societies evolve into present Western societies during the process which is known in
today's scenario. Moreover, it is observed that modernisation communication & transportation
procedure become more accessible and sophisticated as well as people become increasingly
mobile & urban along with extending family reduces the significance.
Globalisation and Modernisation
An integration of political, social cultures and economy are responsible for formulating
globalisation which is argued for spreading of modernisation across borders. It includes that
continuous growth of global trade is observed due to industrial revolution and adoption of
shipping container. Meanwhile, modernisation has a great impact on communication and
relevant industries are responsible for enabling capitalism in order to spread at global level. In
addition to this, there are number of other factors which are helpful to facilitate globalisation
such as television broadcast, news services, online services providers and telephony. Moreover,
it has been analysed that many great thinkers are known to be supporter of modernisation theory
and they trust that television had a potential to render educational tools in developing people
(Turner, 2017). Furthermore, it is observed that existence of technologies in cities of developing
countries in modern world like cell phones, satellite television, computer and exist alongside
stark poverty. The globalists can be known as globalisation modernisation theorists as they argue
with the opinion that the factor of globalisation is positive for every individual because of
extended benefits of it to overall citizens staying in society involving vulnerable people like
children and women.
Democratisation and Modernisation
Considering above title, it has been analysed that democracy and modernisation relation
can be known as mostly investigated studies in context of comparative politics (Burrell and
Morgan, 2017). This topic is responsible for occurrence of an academic debate over the drivers
of democracy as there are certain theories which posses support towards economic development
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as well as growth as they cause and effect of an institution of democracy. Basically,
modernisation is responsible for facilitating development of many industries and different
technological aspects which are favourable to improve economic growth respectively. However,
it has been determine that improvement of economic growth are necessary for democracy as
compared to given levels of socio-economic development. Moreover, economic development
consist to focus on certain aspects including wealth, education, urbanisation and industrialisation
which are considered in modernisation theory (Wright, 2017).
Technology
Technology can be considered as an important factors in today's world which is
responsible for increasing the trend of modernisation among people at global level. It includes
the fact that technology can be known to a major source which facilitate social change which
consist any kind of important alteration over the time in pattern of behaviour and cultural norms
or values. However, people interestingly adopt new technological aspects which are helpful to
encourage the societal change as well as development. Additionally, innovations in technologies
and relevant advancements are suitable for developing standards of living of citizens by making
them capable to adopt technological aspects.
Development and Modernisation
The development can be considered as an orienting principle in modern scenario and
developing countries are more respected at global level by certain institutions like United nations
(Gottdiener, 2019). It consist the criterion that modernisation considers to focus on development
practices which are favourable for improving living standards of people. However, it will
facilitate to make their lives more easier and enjoyable.
Pros and cons of Modernisation theory
There are various pros of modernisation theory that is favourable for development of
citizens living at global level. Initially, it includes that fresh technological aspects has
revolutionised the speed as well as accuracy of production and increase in global trade provide
permission to businesses for selling their products any where (Mahamid and et. al., 2016).
However, the another advantage includes that natural resources including oil, wood & water can
be processed often in society of modernisation and factories as well as skyscrapers have start to
transform the landscape. In addition to this, modernisation is beneficial for poorer nations
regarding a discovery of oil along with its adopting with the help of fresh technologies facilitate
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to welcome for financial opportunities for their respective developments accordingly. Moreover,
modernisation theory can be considered as an aspects to easily grasp due to linearity and provide
an effective way to people for looking at the world.
In contrary to this, cons of modernisation theory includes that improving production at
global level may hurt domestic businesses at the time when international companies can provide
goods at cheaper prices. However, it has been analysed that the manufacturing of products on
foreign countries occurs where labours stays more relaxed, amounts to exploitation in view
point of several individuals (Tarde, 2015). Moreover, there is another disadvantage is analysed
related to modernisation theory that implications of development is responsible for leading to
dependency of greatly indebted poor nations as well as underdeveloped countries on the western
and more developed nations respectively. Meanwhile, it involves undertones of colonisation or
imperialism and it may largely avoid the way of little developing nations have developed.
Furthermore, it consist that Eastern influences largely ignored and outdated.
Impact of modernisation theory on contemporary global situation
The impact of modernisation theory is helpful to facilitate development in present
situation at global level. Initially, it is favourable to promote the economy in modern societies
along with encouraging enhance their political independence. However, it has been analysed that
current societies are more productive due to adoption of new and innovative technologies which
helps to improve standards of living of citizens. Moreover, it is observed that it will focus on
improvement of child education and facilitating delivery of healthcare services to every citizen to
make their lives enjoyable and comfortable. It is studied that modernisation focus on those
aspects which are supportive to achieve wealth and health of people and solve their relevant
issue properly (Ruef, 2015). In addition top this, it is determined that there are number of
characteristic that are observed in modern societies such as differentiation of political culture,
enhancement of the capacity of society's political system and secularisation of political culture
with the ethos of equality.
The new technological aspects are grabbed by people which are suitable for children to
make their studies more interesting and effective. In contrary top this, technologies are helpful
but it also has few of disadvantages including fake websites that provide wrong information. The
world of internet may divert children towards the wrong track of life. Moreover, it is observed
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that it is necessary for youth and elders to be careful about utilisation of technology to gain
maximum benefits of it along with avoiding harmful effects accordingly.
Dependency theory
Dependency theory focus on international politics to analyse through concerning itself
with present unequal relation between nation-states that is among develop nations (centre) and
underdeveloped countries (periphery). This theory has been started through an investigation of
colonial impact on indigenous socio-economic and political structures that consider analysis of
features related to new socio-economic structure (Homans, 2017). However, it has been
evaluated that dependency theory developed as a reaction of modernisation theory. In addition to
this, it is observed that dependency theory had an argument related to world economic system as
it is increasingly unequal in its distribution of resources as well as power because of elements
such as neocolonialism and colonisation. Meanwhile, it is helpful to encourage the distribution of
resources to every person in equal manner so that poor people or states will get proper benefits.
Colonisation can be defined as a capability and power of advanced as well as industrialised
notions for efficiently rob their own colonies of valuable resources including natural factors, or
labours and minerals. Comparatively, neocolonialism can be explained as entire domination of
advanced nations as compared to those who are less developed considering via economic
pressure, oppressive regimens and own colonies.
At the other hand, dependency theory can be considered as an effective approach to
provide resources and power to citizen in equal manner. It will facilitate the equal distribution
which will provide support to improve wealth of people at global level in order to increase their
living of standards. Basically, it has a criterion to evaluate and understand aspects related to
economic underdevelopment that is responsible emphasizing putative constraints imposed
through economic as well as political at global level (Wilson, 2017). Meanwhile, it will provide
support to focus on development of those geographical areas which are avoid from the same.
Moreover, modernisation theory focus on only developing areas but not on those areas which get
avoided from this kind of advancements or innovations. Furthermore, dependency theory will
render help to reduce factor of unequal distribution of power and resources along with
facilitating delivery of desired sources to poor people for improving their standards of living.
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Pros and cons of Dependency theory
The pros of dependency theory includes that few of geographical areas were not
progressing because of the imperialism factor. It also consist about the influential countries make
sure that underdeveloped nations stays that way. However, the dependency theory can be utilised
as a method for carrying out an investigation to identify the way of distributing resources and
wealth between state actors at macro level (Downes and et. al., 2016). In addition to this,
dependency theory is suitable to determine problems existing era of development via
modernisation for solving them to facilitate delivery of equal resources and power to citizens.
Moreover, it is helpful to make an appropriate criterion to provide proper sources and advanced
facilities to citizens for improving their standards of living.
In contrary to this, cons of dependency theory includes regarding several aspects of
society that remained untouched by effect of this theory. It also includes that lack of unity among
dependency theorist which create critics regarding nature of dependence and underdevelopment.
Meanwhile, it consist advocacy and socialism which is not favourable for proper development of
citizens. However, there is not clear definition of dependency observed and it can be known as a
negative approach as it is responsible for attacking the desirability of the capitalist system in
periphery besides of 'dependent' status. Moreover, it has failed to encompass various elements of
under development and to define the concept of unequal exchange.
Impact of dependency theory on contemporary global situation
The dependency theory pays an effective role for encouraging development of countries
in regard to present global condition. Firstly, it will facilitate the controlling of monetary
exchange rate, placing more national emphasis of fiscal besides of monetary policy. Secondly, it
includes the promotion of governmental duty more effectively in respect of national
development. Thirdly, it consist the generating platforms of investing money for providing
preferential responsibility to national capitals (Prout and James, 2015). However, it will permit
the entry of external capital obeying certain priorities that has been already prepared in planning
of nationalistic development. Meanwhile, dependency theory provide support for promoting
internal demand more effectively in order to domestic markets as a base for reinforcing
procedure of industrialisation. It will facilitate to boost up great internal desires with the help of
improving salaries & wages of labours that impact positively on aggregate demand of internal
markets. In addition to this, this theory will render help in developing more effective coverage of
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social facilities from government authorities in impoverished sectors. Moreover, it will facilitate
development of more effective as well as efficient nationalistic strategies in respect of securing
national manufacturing via establishing quotas, tariffs on external markets and model of import
substitutions.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that socialisation consist the patterns of
behaviours and relevant changes. It includes modernisation theory in order to facilitate
implementation of more effective as well as efficient technological aspects for improving
development of people living at global level. However, it consist dependency theory is helpful to
determine those geographical areas which remain avoided from this problem in order to deliver
equal resources as well as power for their development. Moreover, dependency theory has been
created as a reaction of modernisation theory for facilitate equal distribution of facilities for
improving living standards of citizens.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
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Regional Studies, pp.1-5.
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promise and problems. In Constructing and reconstructing childhood (pp. 6-28).
Routledge.
Downes, D., and et. al., 2016. Understanding deviance: a guide to the sociology of crime and
rule-breaking. Oxford University Press.
Wilson, T. P., 2017. Normative and interpretive paradigms in sociology. In Everyday Life (pp.
57-79). Routledge.
Homans, G. C., 2017. Contemporary theory in sociology. In Sociological Methods (pp. 51-69).
Routledge.
Ruef, M., 2015. Sociology of Entrepreneurship. Emerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral
Sciences: An Interdisciplinary, Searchable, and Linkable Resource. pp.1-8.
Tarde, G., 2015. Monadology and sociology. In The Social After Gabriel Tarde (pp. 53-87).
Routledge.
Mahamid, J., and et. al., 2016. Visualizing the molecular sociology at the HeLa cell nuclear
periphery. Science. 351(6276). pp.969-972.
Wright, R., 2017. Sociology and music education. In Sociology and music education (pp. 23-42).
Routledge.
Turner, J. H., 2017. Is public sociology such a good idea?. In Public Sociology (pp. 263-288).
Routledge.
Wacquant, L., 2015. For a sociology of flesh and blood. Qualitative Sociology. 38(1). pp.1-11.
Wexler, P., 2017. Structure, text, and subject:: a critical sociology of school knowledge. In
Cultural and economic reproduction in education (pp. 275-303). Routledge.
Cicourel, A. V., 2017. The acquisition of social structure: Toward a developmental sociology of
language and meaning. In Everyday Life (pp. 136-168). Routledge.
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