Modernization Theory: Reported By: Sanson, Mark Cloie G. BSN 1-F

MODERNIZATION THEORY
REPORTED BY: SANSON, MARK CLOIE G.

BSN 1-F
OUTLINE OF THE TOPIC
1. INTRODUCTION OF MODERNIZATION THEORY
2. BARRIERS TO DEVELOPMENT
3. CULTURAL VALUES
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS MODERNIZATION?
 A description and explanation of the processes of transformation from
traditional or underdeveloped societies to modern societies.
 In the late 1940s, modernization theory was developed, which aimed to provide a
specifically non-communist solution to poverty in the developing world – Its aim
was to spread an industrialized, capitalist model of development through the
promotion of Western, democratic values.
 Since the 1950s, it has been one of the most important viewpoints in the
sociology of national growth and underdevelopment.
 The study of how premodern societies become modern (i.e., Westernized)

through economic expansion and changes in social, political, and cultural
systems.
2 ASPECTS OF MODERNIZATION:
 Modernization theory explained the underdevelopment of countries in Asia, Africa
and Latin America in terms of cultural “barriers to development”.
1. Explanation of why poor countries are underdeveloped; and

2. Its proposed solution to underdevelopment
 In order to develop, less developed countries needed to adopt a similar path to

development to the Western cultural values and industrialize in order to promote
economic growth. To be able to do this, it needs help from Western governments
and companies, in the form of aid and investment.
MODERNIZATION
 Modernization theory favored a capitalist – industrial model of development –
they believed that capitalism (the free market) encouraged efficient production
industrialization, the process of moving towards factory based production.
 Industrial
 Refers to production taking place in factories rather than in the home or
small workshops; large scale of production.
 Capitalism
 A system where private money is invested in industry in order to make a
profit and goods are produced are for sale in the market place rather than
for private consumption.
BARRIERS TO
DEVELOPMENT
WHAT PREVENTS DEVELOPMENT?
 According to Modernization Theorists, obstacles to development are
internal to poorer countries. In other words, undeveloped countries are
underdeveloped because they have the wrong cultural and social systems
and the wrong values and practices that prevent development from
taking place.
 Talcott Parsons (1964) was especially critical of the traditional values of

underdeveloped countries – he believed that they were too attached to
traditional customs, rituals, practices and institutions, which Parsons
argued were the ‘enemy of progress’.
BARRIERS TO DEVELOPMENT:
 Parsons argued that traditional values in Africa, Asia and Latin America acted as
barriers to development which included:
 Particularism
 Where people are allocated into roles based on their affective or familial
relationship to those already in positions power.
 Example: Head of a company gives their brother or someone they know a job
simply because they are close to them, rather than employing someone
based on their individual talent.
 Collectivism
 Where individual is expected to put the group (family or
someone they know) before self-interest.
 This mean that children are expected to leave school at a
younger age in order to care for elderly parents or
grandparents rather than staying in school and furthering
their education.
 Patriarchy
 Patriarchal structures are more entrenched in less developed countries, and
so women are less likely to gain positions of political or economic power, and
remain in traditional, housewife roles.
 This means that half of the population is blocked from contributing to the
political and economic development of the country.
 Ascribed Status and Fatalism

 Ascribed status is where your position in determined at birth based on your
caste, ethnic group or gender.
 Example: the cast system in India, many slaves systems, and this is also an
aspect of extreme patriarchal societies which can result in:
 Fatalism – the feeling that there is nothing you can do to change your
situation.
CULTURAL VALUES
CULTURAL VALUES:
 In contrast, Parsons believed that Western cultural values which promoted
competition and economic growth: such values included the following:
 Individualism
 The opposite of collectivism
 Where individuals put themselves first rather than the family or village/clan.
 This frees individuals up to leave families/villages and use their talents to
better themselves.
CULTURAL VALUES:
 Universalism
 Involves applying the same standards to everyone, and judging everyone
according to the same standards.
 Opposite of particularism, where people are judged differently based on
their relationship to the person doing the judging.
 Achieved Status and Meritocracry

 Achieved Status is where you achieve your success based on your own
individual efforts.
 Meritocracy is where the most talented and hardworking should rise to the
top-jobs, and these should be the best people to ‘run the country’ and drive
economic and social development
Reference:
https://revisesociology.com/2017/09/19/modernization-theory/

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MODERNIZATION THEORY

REPORTED BY: SANSON, MARK CLOIE G.

 The study of how premodern societies become modern (i.e., Westernized)

1. Explanation of why poor countries are underdeveloped; and

 In order to develop, less developed countries needed to adopt a similar path to

 Talcott Parsons (1964) was especially critical of the traditional values of

 Ascribed Status and Fatalism

 Achieved Status and Meritocracry

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