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Intro to Global Social Change

Terms in this set (19)

Identify 3 different terms that are used to refer to countries that have not reached an advanced industrialized state. What biases and judgements are associated with these terms and how have they influenced the debate on development strategies?
Third World, developing countries, and less developed countries. The term Third World makes it seem as if there are 3 separate worlds. The United States being the first world which means it is the "best" and wealthiest. This idea makes people lose a sense of humanity in the process. This term influenced the debate on development strategies because it makes it seem as if the wealthier countries must help the less advanced, industrial countries and share the wealth. The term developing countries makes it seem as if all countries who are less advanced in industrialization are not only developing but also at the same rate. Therefore, also making it seem as if wealthier, first world countries have stopped developing altogether. This term influenced the debate on development strategies because it seems like there is only on way to help/one answer to help the third world countries. The last term is less developed countries which raises the question, less developed compared to whom? If these countries are less developed politically, socially, and economically, it creates the issue of how to help/if we should help at all.
What biases and judgements are associated with the term Third World and how has it influenced the debate on development strategies?
The term Third World makes it seem as if there are 3 separate worlds. The United States being the first world which means it is the "best" and wealthiest. This idea makes people lose a sense of humanity in the process. This term influenced the debate on development strategies because it makes it seem as if the wealthier countries must help the less advanced, industrial countries and share the wealth.
What biases and judgements are associated with the term developing countries and how has it influenced the debate on development strategies?
The term developing countries makes it seem as if all countries who are less advanced in industrialization are not only developing but also at the same rate. Therefore, also making it seem as if wealthier, first world countries have stopped developing altogether. This term influenced the debate on development strategies because it seems like there is only on way to help/one answer to help the third world countries.
What biases and judgements are associated with the term less developed countries and how has it influenced the debate on development strategies?
The last term is less developed countries which raises the question, less developed compared to whom? If these countries are less developed politically, socially, and economically, it creates the issue of how to help/if we should help at all.
Discuss 2 problems associated with using GNP or GDP as the sole or primary indicator of development? Briefly identify 2 additional measures of development that address these problems and discuss how they add to our understanding of development.
One problem with using GNP/GDP as a primary indicator is that it doesn't account for the distribution of income. 60% of a nations GDP could be going to 10% of the population. Another problem is that when GNP/GDP are a priority, it takes emphasis away from social welfare such as education and hospitals. An additional measure of development that addresses these problems is the GINI ratio. The GINI ratio takes into account the distribution of wealth so it can be correctly analyzed and hopefully help make it more equal. Another additional measure is the GDP per capita. The GDP per capita analyzes the average income of a citizen. This allows economists to understand the distribution of wealth more strongly.
Discuss 2 problems associated with using GNP or GDP as the sole or primary indicator of development?
One problem with using GNP/GDP as a primary indicator is that it doesn't account for the distribution of income. 60% of a nations GDP could be going to 10% of the population. Another problem is that when GNP/GDP are a priority, it takes emphasis away from social welfare such as education and hospitals.
Briefly identify 2 additional measures of development that address these problems and discuss how they add to our understanding of development.
An additional measure of development that addresses these problems is the GINI ratio. The GINI ratio takes into account the distribution of wealth so it can be correctly analyzed and hopefully help make it more equal. Another additional measure is the GDP per capita. The GDP per capita analyzes the average income of a citizen. This allows economists to understand the distribution of wealth more strongly.
Compare and contrast Modernization Theory and Dependency Theory. Discuss the historical context in which the theory emerged, the theoretical heritage that the theory draws on to explain development/lack of development, the theory's explanation for development or lack of development, at least one policy implication of the theory, and at least one strength and weakness of each theory.
The Modernization Theory first emerged after WW2 from the early 1950s-1960s. Modernization Theory draws upon 2 theories of social life, social evolutionary theory (durkham) and functionalist theory (Paisons). Social evolutionary theory stated social change was unidirectional from a primitive to an advanced state. Functionalist Theory viewed human society as a biological organism and felt that institutions in society are interdependent. Modernization Theory tried to implement modernized ideas onto what they deemed "primitive" culture, technology, economics, etc. A policy implication of this theory was that there should be an injection of money into democratic nations. A strength of this theory is that it tried to better the "primitive" nations. A weakness of this theory is that it was overly optimistic by acting like the West had no problems.

Dependency Theory first emerged in direct opposition to the Modernization Theory in the 1960s. Dependency Theory stated that peripheral nations (colonies) were made dependent upon and exploited by the "core" nations. The theory had 5 revisions to underdevelopment: reject the linear evolutionism, capitalist production at the heart of underdevelopment, position in the world matters, position determines whether development can truly happen, and to opt out of the dependent system. The Dos Santos ruled there are 3 types of dependency. They are colonial, financial, and technological dependence. A policy implication of this theory was to opt out of the system. A strength of this theory is that it helped many nations gain its own independence. A weakness of this theory is that it can be viewed as Marxist propaganda.
In what ways do men's and women's roles in national development differ? Briefly explain why an understanding of gender relations is important for development planners? Provide 2 examples.
Women's roles are not as glorified as men's in national development. Women serve a productive, reproductive, and community role in development, but are seen as less worthy than men. We need an understanding of gender relations because women are at the heart of capitalism although not respected. The dependency theory states that women directly subsidize the capitalistic world as cheap labor; which is terrible. Women also don't get the same opportunities as men due to the current power structures and enforcement of laws, if any. One example of this is Gambia in Africa. Women can only own land if passed down by a man. Gambia is 90% rural and 80% of the agricultural work is done by women. Women work 15-18 hour days whereas men work 6-8 hours and women still don't get to make decisions. Another example is in India. An impoverished man is still better off than an impoverished woman. Men get fed better and receive better health care than women . The average age for a woman to get married is 16 and then they are at the bottom of the family hierarchy. Also there is very low pay in India but if a pay raise does occur, it only goes to the males.
Two examples of men and women
One example of this is Gambia in Africa. Women can only own land if passed down by a man. Gambia is 90% rural and 80% of the agricultural work is done by women. Women work 15-18 hour days whereas men work 6-8 hours and women still don't get to make decisions. Another example is in India. An impoverished man is still better off than an impoverished woman. Men get fed better and receive better health care than women . The average age for a woman to get married is 16 and then they are at the bottom of the family hierarchy. Also there is very low pay in India but if a pay raise does occur, it only goes to the males.
When did Modernization Theory first emerge?
After WW2 from the early 1950s-1960s
What is theoretical heritage that Modernization Theory draws on to explain development/lack of development?
Modernization Theory draws upon 2 theories of social life, social evolutionary theory (durkham) and functionalist theory (Paisons). Social evolutionary theory stated social change was unidirectional from a primitive to an advanced state. Functionalist Theory viewed human society as a biological organism and felt that institutions in society are interdependent.
What is Modernization theory's explanation for development or lack of development?
Modernization Theory tried to implement modernized ideas onto what they deemed "primitive" culture, technology, economics, etc.
What is one policy implication, one strength, and one weakness of Modernization Theory?
A policy implication of this theory was that there should be an injection of money into democratic nations. A strength of this theory is that it tried to better the "primitive" nations. A weakness of this theory is that it was overly optimistic by acting like the West had no problems.
When did Dependency Theory first emerge?
Dependency Theory first emerged in direct opposition to the Modernization Theory in the 1960s
What is the theoretical heritage that Dependency Theory draws on to explain development/lack of development?
Dependency Theory stated that peripheral nations (colonies) were made dependent upon and exploited by the "core" nations. The theory had 5 revisions to underdevelopment: reject the linear evolutionism, capitalist production at the heart of underdevelopment, position in the world matters, position determines whether development can truly happen, and to opt out of the dependent system. The Dos Santos ruled there are 3 types of dependency. They are colonial, financial, and technological dependence
What are the 5 revisions to underdevelopment according to Dependency Theory?
The theory had 5 revisions to underdevelopment: reject the linear evolutionism, capitalist production at the heart of underdevelopment, position in the world matters, position determines whether development can truly happen, and to opt out of the dependent system.
What did the Dos Santos rule for the Dependency Theory?
The Dos Santos ruled there are 3 types of dependency. They are colonial, financial, and technological dependence
What is one policy implication, one strength, and one weakness of Dependency Theory?
A policy implication of this theory was to opt out of the system. A strength of this theory is that it helped many nations gain its own independence. A weakness of this theory is that it can be viewed as Marxist propaganda.
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