Theories of Development and Underdevelopment

Theory of Development and Underdevelopment
Subject: Community Development and Planning
RUHSA Department, CMC, Vellore
Modernization theory
Development: An event constituting a new stage in a changing situation
Oxford Definition
The theory focuses on Modernization being the best path to Development
Economic development is given the prime emphasis
Modernization is described as a universal pattern
The theory emerged after the World War II

Walt Whitman Rostow
United States economist and political theorist
October 7, 1916 – February 13, 2003
Career Highlights
Special Assistant for National Security Affairs
Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe
Involvement in the Marshall Plan
Book:
The Stages of Economic Growth: A Non-Communist Manifesto (1960)
Rostow’s 5 stages of Development
Stage 1 – Traditional Stage
Stage 2 - Pre Conditions for Take Off
Stage 3 – Take off
Stage 4 – Drive to maturity
Stage 5 – Age of Mass Consumption
Traditional Society
The economic system is stationary and dominated by Agriculture with traditional cultivation forms
Productivity and income is low
Society characterizes by a hierarchical structure (land lords, Kinship and low social mobility
Highly dependent on natural resources
Strong values, morals and Myths
Role of Government is minimal and has little influence with the main society
Low technical and scientific knowledge
Pre Conditions for Take off
The shift from an agrarian to an industrial or manufacturing society begins
Increase in Agricultural production and domestic markets
Modification in the Socio -Political structure
Rise of Entrepreneurship and industrialization
Rural urban Migration
Government taking lead in implementing development activities

Take off Stage
Society is driven more by economic processes than traditions
Steady investments in Industries and multi sector development
Innovations and developments in science and technology
Increase of