Question

There is much criticism that modernization theory is Eurocentric. Do you think dependency theory is also biased? Why, or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

Dependency theory has bias just as it is formulated within the context of underdevelopment, therefore it does have bias.

Explanation:

The dependency theory strongly criticizes foreign investments that move freely according to the international flow of capital. The model of dependency originates in the setting of Latin America and has failed to propose a way to counterbalance the dominant or prevailing system and make it functional.

For example, India's economy in the latest 15 years, seems to contradict some key beliefs of dependency theory as their claims concerning comparative advantage and mobility, as much as the economic growth that has originated from models like outsourcing. Outsourcing is a mobile form of transferring capital. Dependency theory would strongly oppose it.

The case of South Korea versus the North companion provides also an example of the economic performance of a trade-based economy against an autocratic self-sustained economy.

Therefore the protectionism initially preached by dependency theory did not turn the solution it promised. Rather, Latin American countries summed up huge debts and suffered periodic recession. The lack of conditions favorable to produce complex industrialized goods, as automobiles, computers, etc further ignites this failure. Not all goods will ever be able to be produced locally like the cars, computers, and technology so a turnig back is often leading to disaster or isolation from the world.