Dependency theory posits that peripheral, less developed nations are dependent on core countries for their economic development, which hinders their ability to develop and benefits core nations. It was developed by Raul Prebisch in response to global disparities and argues that the structure of the world economy favors core countries over peripheral ones. The theory is illustrated through Haiti's history as a peripheral nation dependent on France during colonial rule, which left it impoverished despite producing valuable exports.

2. Some Background
• Developed by a U.N. director, Raul
Prebisch
o In response to concern over disparities in
development worldwide
• Peripheral countries
o nations that are "weaker", or less developed
o eg. Haiti
• Core countries
o nations that have major influence, and are the
most developed
o eg. France, United States

3. What is the Theory?
• Dependency is...
"...an historical condition which shapes a certain structure of the world
economy such that it favors some countries to the detriment of others and
limits the development possibilities of the subordinate economics."
("The Structure of Dependency" p.226)
• Peripheral nations are dependent on core
countries
o Dependent nations' development will remain
stagnant while core nations will continue to develop

4. Factors Behind the
Dependency Theory...

5. Case Study: Haiti
• A "peripheral" nation
• Belonged to France from
1660 to 1804
• During French rule, produced 60% of Europe's coffee
and 40% of its sugar
• Much of population was, and still is, impoverished
• 2010 earthquake
o Destruction of much of its existing infrastructure
o United States response to earthquake was praised
o Haiti remains in dependent, peripheral status
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Haiti_(orthographic_projection).svg/250px-
Haiti_(orthographic_projection).svg.png

6. Strengths Weaknesses
• Simplicity
• Promotion of core
• Worldwide theory
•
dominance
• Has multiple
Limited definition of
development
applications
• Cynical
• Too simple!
http://www.philgalfond.com/w
p-content/uploads/ethics-
scale.jpg

7. Bibliograph
y
• (Theotonio Dos Santos, "The Structure of
Dependence," in K.T. Fann and Donald C.
Hodges, eds., Readings in U.S. Imperialism.
Boston: Porter Sargent, 1971, p. 226)
• https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/depend.htm
• http://pics3441.upmf-
grenoble.fr/articles/inde/Dependency%20Theory%
20A%20Critique.pdf
• http://hdr.undp.org/en/data/trends/