Global Poverty, Social Policy, and Education

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Modernization and Dependency Theory
Conclusion
Reference List

Introduction

Various theories have been developed for betterment of understanding of the relation between global poverty and development. In their book, The Origins Of Modern Development Thought, Fagerlind and Saha, clearly outline theories such as modernization theory, Human capital theory, dependency and liberation theory. Others include globalization, and critical development theories, which are just but a few.

Global poverty cannot be fully evaluated without relating it to development. Development involves both social and economic factors that interrelate with global poverty. Economic fluctuations affect especially the poor or mostly developing countries that are usually considered as having a lower GDP (Myrdal, 2002).

In addition, political influence heavily affects growth and development of different countries globally, which in turn reflects the rate of poverty and development. This paper shall discuss two theories, modernization and dependency theories stating what they suggest about poverty.

It will also endeavor to relate them to development and clearly define its development with respect to different aspects globally, putting into thought both social and economic aspects (Fagerlind and Saha, 1989, p 4).

Modernization and Dependency Theory

Defining, compare and contrasting modernization and dependency theories in relation to development and global poverty stating suggestions and causes of poverty globally

Modernization theory as the name suggests, refers to modernizing or venturing to new and better ways of doing things. According to Fagerlind and Saha, modernization developed in the 1950s, came as an upgrade of the evolution theory regarded as development, a dramatic shift from traditional to modern (Fagerlind and Saha, 1989, p 4).

Dependency on the other hand focuses on relationship or rather depending on others. As mentioned by Fagerlind and Saha, dependency theory is a justified cause or contribution to poverty or stagnation of developing countries. Sociologists as Marx, who are in support of dependency theory conclude that the major contributing factor of global poverty are the private and international organization which provide continually for the poor and hence do not give them an opportunity to grow and develop.

Once these organizations supply poor or developing countries with funds, the poor get used to overreliance on such organization (Schultz, 1971, pp. 24-28). Dependency theorist to some extent have evaluated the key causes of underdevelopment in the third world, which is basically the colonizers, capitalist how have shaped the condition the third world are in now.

On the other hand, modernization theorists argue that the key contributing factor to global poverty and underdevelopment is the fact that society is seemingly stubborn to accept change inform of modernization. Modernizing in the form of structural buildings, roads, technology among other modern form of development, destroy the social and cultural formation of the society.

The societies fear that bringing these modernization projects will either destroy their cultural values, practices, and ways of living and forcefully instilling the western culture in their societies. These are some of the reasons why global poverty and underdevelopment is still on the rise (Isbister, 2006, pp. 32-41).

Shortcomings of the dependency theory and the modernization theory

Some of the shortcomings of the dependency theory included, assumption of an equal living conditions and development for all third world countries, neglecting of internal factors such as labor resources, political history that shaped their economy, instead they focused on external factors.

In comparison, despite the modernization theory pointing out that cultures and certain traditional beliefs practices and values as the major causes of underdevelopment and global poverty.

This theory has limited factors such as structural obstacles as inequality, historical background, as this is also a major cause as to why certain societies are the way they are, external factors as governance and political and economic factors (Tucker, 1999, pp. 2-8).

Relating development and global poverty

Development is normally viewed as a positive term that which brings benefit to a nation or globally. According to Fagerlind and Saha, development is a social change, growth, evolution, progress advancement and modernization (Fagerlind and Saha, 1989, p,4). Development was also seen as a negative aspect, which involved destruction of property, houses to create space for structural modern buildings, roads among others.

This form of development was seen as destructive rather than constructive as many were displaced and not compensated while many lost land and property ownership. This is the reason why most developing or poor countries globally are resistant to change as pointed out by the modernization theorists (Hewitt, 2002, pp. 289-308).

For global poverty to be reduced or eradicated, social, economic and political aspects of development has to be dealt with for these are considered the root cause of global poverty. If a nation is on a political rampage and an unstable government, the economy of the country will gradually go down thus leaving way for dependency on well-wishers, donors and other NGOs leading to slow or no development growth (Lewellen, 1995, pp. 19-48).

According to Lerner, D modernization raises the status of a country, by improving its rate of literacy, economic status in terms of exports and imports-this happens when the structural layout as roads, rails and other means of transportation is in place-, neighboring participation through trade and technological empowerment and sharing this ensures development (Stromquist, 2002, pp.19-21).

Conclusion

Dependency theorists disagree with the modernization theory in regards to the concept of development and underdevelopment. In that, dependency theorist argues that the major cause of underdevelopment in the third world countries is the historical influence and impact of the colonizers economically and capitalist.

On the contrary, modernization theorist argues that the underdevelopment is the problem of the third world with them clinging on to traditions and cultures that do not progress, the country economically. Global poverty cannot be fully evaluated without relating it to development.

Development involves both social and economic factors that interrelate with global poverty. Economic fluctuations affect especially the poor or mostly developing countries who are usually consider having a lower GDP (Myrdal, 2002). In addition, political influence heavily affects growth and development of different countries globally, which in turn reflects the rate of poverty and development.

Global poverty will still be on the increase if issues causing poverty such as dependency on non-governmental organizations, donors and other organization continue offering aid to the poor. Instead, these organizations should focus on engaging these poor countries on modern projects that will alleviate them and boost their economic growth and literacy (Lerner, 1958, pp. 43-52).

With the help of new technologies, people are able to acquire knowledge and skills required for investment and development. The barrier formed by societies as cultural values and practices can be dealt with by incorporating the societal values with the modern ones or comparing them and chose the best option rather than forcefully or entirely eradicating them (Woodhall, 1995).

Reference List

Fagerlind, I. and Saha, L.J., 1989. The Origins of Modern development thought. In: Education and national development: a comparative perspective. (2^nd ed.) Oxford: Pernagon Press, pp. 3-28

Hewitt, T., 2002. Half a Century of Development. In: Poverty and Development Into the 21st. Century, London: Zed Books, pp. 289308.

Isbister, J., 2006. Modernization Theory. In Isbister. Promises Not Kept. USA: Kumarian Press, 2006, Seventh Edition (32-41),

Lerner, D., 1958. Modernization Styles of Life: A Theory. In: D. Lerner. The Passing of Traditional Society. Modernizing the Middle East. New York: The Free Press, pp. 43-52.

Lewellen, T., 1995.The Creation of the Third World. A Brief History. In: Lewellen Dependency and Development. An Introduction to the Third World. London: Bergin & Garvey, 1995 (19-48).

Myrdal, G., 2002. Modernization Ideals. In: Development. A Cultural Studies Reader. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd, pp. 11-18

Schultz, T.W., 1971. Investment in Human Capital. In: T. W. Schultz. Investment in Human Capital: The Role of Education. Oxford: Permagon. pp. 24-28.

Stromquist, N., 2002. The twinning of ideas and material conditions: globalization, neoliberalism and postmodernism. In: N. Stromquist Education in a Globalized World: The Connectivity of Economic Power, Technology and Knowledge. Lanham MD Rowman and Littlefield, pp19-21

Tucker, V., 1999. The myth of Development: A Critique of a Eurocentric Discourse. In: Munck, R and D. OHearn(eds). Critical Development Theory: Contributions to a New Paradig. London and New York: Zed Books, pp. 2-8.

Woodhall, M., 1995. Human Capital. In: T.W. Schultz. Investment in Human Capital. The Role of Education and Research. New York: The Free Press, pp. 24-26

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