"Dependency theory is the idea that resources flow from a 'periphery' of poor and underdeveloped states to a 'core' of wealthy states, enriching the latter at the expense of the former."
The theory that economic patterns of international trade contribute to the continued economic dependence of developing countries on developed countries.
Colonialism: The historical process by which European powers established political and economic control over other countries.
Neocolonialism: A form of indirect colonialism in which developed countries maintain economic control over developing nations through economic and political domination.
Capitalism: An economic system in which private individuals or businesses own and control production in order to make a profit.
Globalization: The process by which economies, cultures, and societies become more interconnected and integrated across national borders.
Third World: A term that was originally used to describe countries that were not aligned with either the capitalist first world or the communist second world during the Cold War. Today, the term is often used to describe developing countries.
Imperialism: The practice of extending economic, political, or military power over weaker countries or territories.
Unequal Exchange: The idea that developed countries exploit developing countries by paying low prices for raw materials and selling high-priced manufactured goods back to them.
Dependency: The idea that developing countries are dependent on developed countries for economic and political resources.
Modernization Theory: The belief that developing countries can only achieve economic and social development by adopting Western-style economic and political systems.
Development: The process of economic and social change that leads to higher standards of living and improved quality of life.
Structural Adjustment: Economic policies imposed on developing countries by international organizations, such as the IMF and World Bank, that often result in austerity measures and social dislocation.
Postcolonialism: The academic study of the legacy of colonialism and the ongoing struggles for political and economic equality in former colonies.
Cultural Imperialism: The spread of Western cultural values and practices, often through media and entertainment, to other cultures around the world.
Liberation Theology: A Christian theological school that emphasizes social justice and the liberation of oppressed peoples, particularly in Latin America.
Dependency Theory Critiques: The criticisms of dependency theory as an inadequate explanation for economic and social development in developing countries.
Economic Dependency Theory: This theory emphasizes the unequal economic relations between developed and underdeveloped countries, which result in the exploitation of weaker economies by stronger ones.
Political Dependency Theory: This theory focuses on the political relationships between dominant and subordinate countries, specifically highlighting the neocolonial practices of using economic and political means to maintain control and influence over weaker countries.
Cultural Dependency Theory: This theory highlights the dominance of Western cultural values and practices over non-Western cultures, resulting in cultural imperialism and the loss of cultural diversity.
Gender Dependency Theory: This theory centers on the gendered social structures and ideologies that perpetuate inequalities between men and women in both developed and underdeveloped countries, leading to the subordination and exploitation of women.
Environmental Dependency Theory: This theory examines the exploitation of natural resources and the environmental degradation that disproportionately affects underdeveloped countries, highlighting the unequal distribution of ecological benefits and costs between developed and underdeveloped nations.
Digital Dependency Theory: This theory highlights the global digital divide and the unequal access to digital technologies, which exacerbate existing socioeconomic inequalities and perpetuates the marginalization of underdeveloped countries.
Medical Dependency Theory: This theory focuses on the unequal distribution of health care resources and technologies, which results in underdeveloped countries having limited access to medical care, leading to health disparities and further marginalization.
"Poor states are impoverished and rich ones enriched by the way poor states are integrated into the 'world system'."
"This theory was officially developed in the late 1960s following World War II."
"Scholars searched for the root issue in the lack of development in Latin America."
"Dependency theory rejected [the] view [of modernization theory], arguing that underdeveloped countries are not merely primitive versions of developed countries, but have unique features and structures of their own."
"A central contention of dependency theory is that poor states are impoverished and rich ones enriched by the way poor states are integrated into the 'world system'."
"Underdeveloped countries are not merely primitive versions of developed countries, but have unique features and structures of their own."
"[Underdeveloped countries] are in the situation of being the weaker members in a world market economy."
"Some writers have argued for its continuing relevance as a conceptual orientation to the global division of wealth."
"Dependency theorists can typically be divided into two categories: liberal reformists and neo-Marxists."
"Liberal reformists typically advocate for targeted policy interventions."
"The neo-Marxists believe in a command-centered economy."
"Modernization theory held that all societies progress through similar stages of development."
"Underdeveloped areas are thus in a similar situation to that of today's developed areas at some time in the past."
"The task of helping the underdeveloped areas out of poverty is to accelerate them along this supposed common path of development, by various means such as investment, technology transfers, and closer integration into the world market."
"Dependency theory rejected [the view of modernization theory]... and that, therefore, the task of helping the underdeveloped areas out of poverty is to accelerate them along this supposed common path of development."
"Some writers have argued for its continuing relevance as a conceptual orientation to the global division of wealth."
"Underdeveloped countries are not merely primitive versions of developed countries."
"Poor states are impoverished and rich ones enriched by the way poor states are integrated into the 'world system'."
"Underdeveloped countries have unique features and structures of their own."