Mcgill Poli 227 Full Notes
Alyssa Tuman Poli 227 Final Exam Study Guide
Approaches to Development
Why are LDCs underdeveloped? How can this be fixed? note: both theories underestimate value of religion in development
Modernization Theory (or Development Approach) developing nations must acquire modern cultural values and create modern political and economic institutions; emphasizes historical process of interrelated social changes Basic Beliefs: - transforming culture is the most crucial step in developing. - judge people with universalistic standards - believe in possibility and desirability of change - value science and technology - think about things outside of immediate sphere/village/family etc - believe every day people can influence politics - transition to democracy can be achieved through: - educational changes - teach modern values - urbanization - will ensure kids attend schools - spread of mass media, communication - spread of modern culture - diffusion of modern ideas from developed nations - need to create more specialized and complex political and economic institutions to support this cultural change - trained bureaucracies - political parties
- cultural/institutional changes will lay foundation for more stable, effective, and responsive political system - believe religion impedes development Basic Problems: - too simplistic and optimistic in initial view of change - ethnocentrism - the intensification of ethnic, racial, cultural hostilities has undercut the modernization theory - In Africa and Asia, early modernization has frequently politicized and intensified ethnic antagonisms - culturally biased - hurts women in the short term because industrialization, urbanization, and spread of world capitalism widened the gender gap - social/economic modernization can cause political instability and violence - sometimes wrong - Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore have all had economic success begin under authoritarian governments The Theory Reworked: - The Conflict Theory -
Approaches to Development
Why are LDCs underdeveloped? How can this be fixed? note: both theories underestimate value of religion in development
Modernization Theory (or Development Approach) developing nations must acquire modern cultural values and create modern political and economic institutions; emphasizes historical process of interrelated social changes Basic Beliefs: - transforming culture is the most crucial step in developing. - judge people with universalistic standards - believe in possibility and desirability of change - value science and technology - think about things outside of immediate sphere/village/family etc - believe every day people can influence politics - transition to democracy can be achieved through: - educational changes - teach modern values - urbanization - will ensure kids attend schools - spread of mass media, communication - spread of modern culture - diffusion of modern ideas from developed nations - need to create more specialized and complex political and economic institutions to support this cultural change - trained bureaucracies - political parties
- cultural/institutional changes will lay foundation for more stable, effective, and responsive political system - believe religion impedes development Basic Problems: - too simplistic and optimistic in initial view of change - ethnocentrism - the intensification of ethnic, racial, cultural hostilities has undercut the modernization theory - In Africa and Asia, early modernization has frequently politicized and intensified ethnic antagonisms - culturally biased - hurts women in the short term because industrialization, urbanization, and spread of world capitalism widened the gender gap - social/economic modernization can cause political instability and violence - sometimes wrong - Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore have all had economic success begin under authoritarian governments The Theory Reworked: - The Conflict Theory -