Development refers to the process in which something gradually transitions to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage). Again, development in relation to the economy is the transition from low productivity and labor-intensive to high-production and technology-intensive activities. The issue of development, especially in Africa, has been a source of contention. For this reason, writers such as Rostow, Prebisch, Wallestein, Boserup and others have proposed theories to address issues of development and underdevelopment in relation to third world countries. Some of the proposed theories are as follows. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayAccording to the authors of the theory, development is a linear evolutionary process, and development prospects are inherent in a particular society. Rostow identified five categories into which companies can be identified based on their economic attribute. Traditional society, the preconditions for taking off, taking off, the push towards maturity and the age of high mass consumption were the categories indicated. In his opinion, development means “white” and the only way to develop a third world country is to strictly follow the European development model. Modernization theory has its strengths and weaknesses. Below are some strengths of the theory. First, modernization theory is embedded in science education. To remedy underdevelopment in third world countries, science education was a necessity. The study of science would help improve and increase technology in the free society. This will catalyze the process to take off in a mainstream society. Furthermore, the theory refers to value systems, self-motivation and capital growth which is a combination of sociological, psychological and economic characteristics. Furthermore, the perspective of the theory is analytical. Theorists assume that traditionalism applies to Third World countries while Euro-American countries are modern. It is assumed that traditional societies can develop when they adopt the values of the modern world. Finally, modernization theory encourages the need for industrialization. To develop, traditional societies must consider ways and means to become an industrial state. This will help them take off. Despite the theory's many strengths, some flaws have been identified that have attracted criticism from other scholars. First, the classification of distinct societies into "traditional" and "modern" lacked clarity. There are various societies such as caste societies, tribal, feudal and bureaucratic empires which have modernized in different ways and structures. The theory considered only the pre-industrial one to be traditional. Furthermore, the theory associates development only with the European and American way. This is a major weakness in modernization theory. Countries such as Taiwan, South Korea and China developed under strong autocratic regimes and systems different from those in America. Furthermore, the theory recommends the elimination of traditional values as a remedy for underdevelopment. Eliminating the value of tradition in a given society means extinguishing the lives of its inhabitants. Rather, the theory was supposed to develop the values of societies with modernized technology. Once again the theory encourages and justifies colonial rule. The theory assumes that traditional societies, if abandoned to their fate, will never be able to develop. For this reason, they must be forcibly brought under the leadership and governance of the countries.
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