Walter Rostow’s Linear Development Theory
BSDS101: Assignment 1: Outline the stages of Walter Rostow’s Linear development theory and discuss the theory’s applicability to the developing world.
Introduction:
The question of why and how the developing world has since been developing at a relatively low pace has since been interpreted by various perspectives most of which are Euro-centric and highly debatable. A number of theories have since been formulated to explain why the developing countries are lagging behind in terms of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP) are low. Some theorists such as Todaro and Smith (2009) went the extent of trying to understand why there is always a glaring gap of development between the developed countries and the developing world by formulating the wheels of a cycle thesis. Rostow proposed a clear five stage theory which he believed that for each country to develop it has to pass through sequentially. To Rostow, each stage in economic growth is unique and easily identifiable. He believed that the initial stage is the traditional stage, followed by the Pre-conditions for Take-off stage, then the Take-off stage, Drive to Maturity Stage and finally the High Mass Consumption stage. Though giving a brief explanation in the academia, Rostow failed to highlight the essential pre-conditions of the take-off stage. Moreover, Rostow’s theory does not realize how networked the modern world is, he assumes that for a country to develop it starts from scratch till it develops, not knowing that in some instances it is the developed world that invest in the developing world for the later to develop. This essay shall discuss the applicability of the economic growth model of Walter. W. Rostow (1916-2003) to developing countries.
Definitions of terms:
Theory:
According to Gutsa I, Mutswanga P,and Shumba B, (2010), A theory is an organization of generally accepted interdependent facts, concepts and principles of a phenomenon concerned with explaining what happens
Introduction:
The question of why and how the developing world has since been developing at a relatively low pace has since been interpreted by various perspectives most of which are Euro-centric and highly debatable. A number of theories have since been formulated to explain why the developing countries are lagging behind in terms of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP) are low. Some theorists such as Todaro and Smith (2009) went the extent of trying to understand why there is always a glaring gap of development between the developed countries and the developing world by formulating the wheels of a cycle thesis. Rostow proposed a clear five stage theory which he believed that for each country to develop it has to pass through sequentially. To Rostow, each stage in economic growth is unique and easily identifiable. He believed that the initial stage is the traditional stage, followed by the Pre-conditions for Take-off stage, then the Take-off stage, Drive to Maturity Stage and finally the High Mass Consumption stage. Though giving a brief explanation in the academia, Rostow failed to highlight the essential pre-conditions of the take-off stage. Moreover, Rostow’s theory does not realize how networked the modern world is, he assumes that for a country to develop it starts from scratch till it develops, not knowing that in some instances it is the developed world that invest in the developing world for the later to develop. This essay shall discuss the applicability of the economic growth model of Walter. W. Rostow (1916-2003) to developing countries.
Definitions of terms:
Theory:
According to Gutsa I, Mutswanga P,and Shumba B, (2010), A theory is an organization of generally accepted interdependent facts, concepts and principles of a phenomenon concerned with explaining what happens