Here is an interactive plan for lesson use borrowed from my teacher for here. It includes paragraphs and ideas to put in them. For more revision material visit revise-sociology-aqa.tumblr.com

1. Modernisation and Dependency
theory
Application of theories to world
today

2. Essay Question
•
Modernisation and dependency theories are both limited in their
ability to explain how the world is changing today.’ To what extent do
sociological arguments and evidence support this view?
•
Globalisation
•
Environmental crisis
•
Global inequality
•
TNCs
•
Third world debt

3. Globalisation
•
Modernisation theories would view globalisation to have a mostly positive impact.
Cultural mores and ideas are easily spread throughout the world leading to cultures
becoming more like one another. Global economy can create opportunities to generate
wealth and investment in services.
•
Dependency theory sees globalisation in terms of the spread of market capitalism, and
the exploitation of cheap labour and resources. The dominant world capitalist system
relies on a division of labour between the rich 'core' countries and poor 'peripheral'
countries. Over time, the core countries will exploit their dominance over an increasingly
marginalised periphery.
•
Consider:
• Cultural: tourism, media, cultural imperialism or Americanisation
• Economic: Trade (protectionist policies, human and environmental cost of
uncontrolled capitalism)
• Political: polarisation of power in favour of the rich

4. Environmental crisis
•
Modernisation theory: If development was to follow Rostow’s five
stages then every country would aspire to the standards achieved by
the USA in 1960’0s:high mass consumption, high standards of living,
easy access to education and health, urbanisation.
•
Dependency theories would suggest the US and Western Europe are
using climate control treaties to hamper the economic growth of
rapidly industrializing nations such as India and China.

5. Global aid and debt
•
Modernisation theory: Rostow suggests that if aid is given during
stage 2 then this can be used to modernise and improve technologies,
agriculture, infrastructure, education all which help fuel take off.
•
But he was writing at a time when public service institutions were
state owned and since 1970s gradual move toward privatisation. This
ideology may be why aid is sometimes tied to privatisation of utilities:
•
What has been impact of privatisation in Ghana (water), India
(electricity) and Uganda (water)?
•
Consider what dependency theory says about aid and debt

6. TNCs
•
As a result of globalisation TNCs are able to produce and sell around
the world. They involve a global supply chain and employ people
across the world.
•
Modernisation theory would see TNCs as promoting development-
why?
•
Dependecy theories would argue they exert too much power and
exploit poorer less developed world to maximise profit

7. Activity
•
In pairs:
•
Person 1: find evidence to support modernisation theory
•
Person 2: find evidence to counter modernisation theory
•
Read the allocated articles and construct a paragraph using PERC or
PEEEL
•
CHALLENGE:
•
Using the same articles find evidence to support and counter
dependency theory