6: Theories of Comparative Politics: Dependency and Modernization Theory

Modernization Theory
Modernization theory studies the process of social evolution and the development of societies. There are two levels of analysis in classical modernization theory: the microcosmic evaluations of modernization, which focuses on the componential elements of social modernization; and the macrocosmic studies of modernization focused on the empirical trajectories and manifest processes of the modernization of nations and their societies, economies, and polities. However, there are two key sources of problems with classical modernization theory.

Film

Considering Dependency Theory with Bananaland: Blood, Bullets & Poison

For consumers, bananas are a delicious and nutritious start to the day, a healthy snack and a fixture in our fruit bowls. For millions of residents in the banana lands, the production of bananas means social upheaval, violence and pesticide poisoning. Banana Land explores the origins of these disparate realities, and opens the conversation on how workers, producers and consumers can address this disconnect.

Attributions

Modernization Theory
Source: Goorha, Prateek, Modernization Theory (March 01, 2010). Published in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia, International Relations, 2010, DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.266
Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3412147
For all open access content, the Creative Commons licensing terms apply: CC BY

Banana Land - Blood, Bullets & Poison (English) (2014)
Source: Banana Land Vimeo (user23275965),
Directors: Jason Glaser, Diego Lopez
Produced by: Sherbet