Question

Discuss the origins of Dependency Theory. How is dependency theory different from modernization theory? How is it similar? Why is dependency theory considered useful for analyzing global stratification?

How can nations break free of the cycle of dependence? What types of policies and strategies are necessary?

Describe dependence as an economic phenomenon? What constitutes a dependent economic relationship between nations?

Answer 1

1) Origins of Dependency Theory:
Dependency theory was established in 1950s by Raul Prebisch and his friends in an attempt to understand why some countries in the world remained underdeveloped.
Modernization Theory believes that social equality is the result of material growth while Dependency Theory believes that eth dependent country enhances social inequality which can lead to political authoritarianism. Modernization theory emphasized internal factors while making an exception of science. Dependency theory and its close relative, world system theory, emphasized the role of external relationships in the developmental process. In this way that are different.
The similarity is that both discuss about the prominent gap between the developed and developing nations.
According to dependency theory, wealthy countries would not be as rich as they are today if they did not have these materials, and the key to reversing inequality is to relieve former colonies of their debts so that they can benefit from their own industry and resources.