THEORIES OF
DEVELOPMENT
,Meaning of Theory
•What is Theory?
•A theory is a set of ideas that provides
an explanation for something.
•A sociological theory is a set of ideas
that provides an explanation for human
society
,Modernization Theory
• What is Modernization Theory?
• A sociological and economic framework emerging in the mid-20th
century to explain how societies transition from "traditional" to
"modern."
• Development follows a linear path driven by:
• Technological advancement
• Urbanization and Education
• Rationality and Individualism
• The main gold is to transform agrarian structures into industrialized
ones.
, Rostow’s 5 Stages of Economic
Growth
• Based on W. W. Rostow’s The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-
Communist Manifesto (1960).
• Traditional Society: Subsistence farming, limited tech, rigid social hierarchy.
• Preconditions for Take-Off: External influences trigger infrastructure growth
and entrepreneurship.
• Take-Off: Rapid industrialization; sustained 5-10% annual growth.
• Drive to Maturity: Economic diversification; technology spreads to all
sectors.
• Age of High Mass Consumption: Shift toward consumer goods, services,
and high living standards.
DEVELOPMENT
,Meaning of Theory
•What is Theory?
•A theory is a set of ideas that provides
an explanation for something.
•A sociological theory is a set of ideas
that provides an explanation for human
society
,Modernization Theory
• What is Modernization Theory?
• A sociological and economic framework emerging in the mid-20th
century to explain how societies transition from "traditional" to
"modern."
• Development follows a linear path driven by:
• Technological advancement
• Urbanization and Education
• Rationality and Individualism
• The main gold is to transform agrarian structures into industrialized
ones.
, Rostow’s 5 Stages of Economic
Growth
• Based on W. W. Rostow’s The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-
Communist Manifesto (1960).
• Traditional Society: Subsistence farming, limited tech, rigid social hierarchy.
• Preconditions for Take-Off: External influences trigger infrastructure growth
and entrepreneurship.
• Take-Off: Rapid industrialization; sustained 5-10% annual growth.
• Drive to Maturity: Economic diversification; technology spreads to all
sectors.
• Age of High Mass Consumption: Shift toward consumer goods, services,
and high living standards.
