Modernization theory essay

This theory argues that a country remains underdeveloped for as long as it embraces traditional customs and culture which prohibit individual achievement and ensure that kin relations are upheld. Japan is one of the countries that have been identified as a clear illustration of the modernization theory of economic development.

However, the way modernization theory suggests for development and modernity proved to be controversial soon after its development as a theory. This essay will advance the idea that even though modernization as an idea is still relevant, the basic notions and objections attached to the modernization approach are highly debatable.

The context in which the theory was developed is particularly suitable to that culture, not necessarily suitable for others. This contextual emergence of the theory gave birth to doubts of the objectivity of modernization approach. For example, the theory has been accused of being ethnocentric.

Modernisation theory explained the underdevelopment of countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America primarily in terms of cultural ‘barriers’ to development’, basically arguing that developing countries were underdeveloped because their traditional values held them back; other modernisation theorists focused more on economic barriers to development.