Development Study

Development study is a branch in social sciences that explores issues relating developing countries. Historically it has focused on social and economic development therefore may extend its significance to other regions and communities apart from concentration on the developing world. There are various approaches that conceptualize development studies. Among them are the modernization and dependency theories. This paper focuses to explore their similarities and difference in their significance to development studies.Dependency theory is a social science approach that argues that the developed nation draws resources from underdeveloped nations making them richer at the expense of their counterparts. The proponent of this theory is Sandra Ball-Rokeach and Milvin Defleur (1976). Dependency theory initially was in the communication discipline but merged out integrating several prospects. It merges prospects from psychology from social category theory, from causal approaches, media effects and traditions as well as contextual philosophy.â€Å"in its urge to appropriate productive forces for the purpose of exploitation, capital ransacks the entire world, provides itself with the means of production from all corners of the earth, obtaining these from all levels of civilization and from all forms of society† (Perry 1996. p. 35) It sometimes referred to as underdevelopment theory based upon Marxist theory in other words, it assumes that wealth western nation uses their superior status to exploit peripheral weaker nations reflecting earlier colonial bonds. These under developed nations expose their economical and political structure maintaining their reliance on developed nations.They become developmentally enslaved mastered by the west. Some argument exist that tourism has evolved somehow reflecting economic dependency and colonialism. However, potential underdevelopment resulting from dependency is the main focus. (Bramswell 2004. p. 323) Modernization on the oth er hand argues that low economically empowered societies can develop if only they seize from their traditional methods and adapt to modern technologies, cultural values and economic institutions that puts an emphasis on productive investment and savings.The social institutions and traditional values of low income nations hinder their effectiveness in economy. Most of people in undeveloped society have low work ethics, they usually consume without thinking of investing in the future. Most of these societies have large families therefore saving money for investing is almost impossible. They therefore rag behind in their economic ability (Griffiths & Giddens 2006 p . 405) Modernization tends to criticize Marxist theory. It emphasizes the process of change and the reason to that change.Marquis de Condorcet is among the proponents of this theory. His argument was that, people's cultural values and morals in the society can be changed by economical and technological advancement. He encour aged technological advancement arguing that it helps society have control to the environment and adapt to it. He argued that technological advancement encourage social progress. (Soylent communications 2008) Modernization theory contrasts the dependency theory in a number of ways.In many parts of the world where it have ever been applied, it has failed to take into account historical and social factors influencing development. Such factors are like the traditional social structures, colonialism, and religious factors. Natural past outcomes have also not put into account and which may have affected a society; famine, floods, volcanic activities and other natural environmental conflicts. Many nations like the Middle East historical process influenced its development.It emphasis on modern values in development cannot be fully relied as the back born to development. The historical processes in politics, economic, cultural, educational of a society influence its development. Development theory argument that richer nations exploits less developed nations natural resources contrast the free market that advances poor states to full economic growth. The international market gives every nation an opportunity to realize it full economic growth.It is through this freedom that a society can take advantage to purchase modern values that can help it develop. A poorer state can purchase new technological advancement improving production in its industries which in return will improve it economy. However, dependency theory contrasts this situation arguing that it is exploitation. Dependency theory argument that colonialism of undeveloped nations still exist is a contrast to modernization. In the previous century, many undeveloped countries evoked from colonialism after realizing their independence.This independence was not granted to just political matters but also to the economy and social structures. Most of these nations have their natural resources still fully unexploited. Not because their former colonial master have not exploited these but because they lack modern facilities which would help them. This therefore is a contrast to modernization. The continued reliance on colonial masters should not be argued as a modern colonialism. It is evident that the colonialist had an influence politically, economically and socially to their colonies.Therefore, these nations will tend to consult their colonial masters as well as trade with them even in the modern world. Contrast between dependency theory and modernization exist in their views on international dimensions that influence economic development of a nation. These dimensions include tourism, trade, global investment and many others. Dependency argues that tourism, free trade and global investment are a reflection of the dependency that exists between the developed and undeveloped world. Most of the global investors are from the developed world.This is also in tourism. Dependency theory proponents argue s that this is a clean indication of how developed nations exploits the less developed for their growth. Modernization on the other hand views this kind of relation to enhance purchase and adoption of modern technologies. Trade exposes undeveloped countries acquire modern technology. In enhancing tourism, the undeveloped countries adopt new technology to maximize turn outs. Though global investors’ targets at making profits, they as well enhance modernity in less developed nations.Dependency theory puts into accounts exogenous and indigenous political processes which have a role in national continuity and formation. It puts into account changing circumstances like religious background of nation. However, modernization contrasts this as its main emphasis is on new technology influence on development. Its notion of class difference which challenges it universality contrast dependency theory. In addition, modernization ignores rural poverty, unemployment, inflation, economic and political dependency and the growing gap between the poor and the rich.This contrasts dependency theory. (Paidar 2005) Though these two theories contrast, their arguments are both very effective in development studies. Development in a society is a complex issue which primarily may depend on modernization and dependency theory as well as other concepts in the society. Whichever perspective one would take, development is about the nature of a society economic, political and social ability. However if modernization and dependency theories are merged, they would have a more efficient development studies description on a particular society.