Chapter 12 Sociology Study Guide

The reasons for the new classification scheme of nations

A word about terminology: page 295

Dependency theory and its criticisms

Dependency Theory (social conflict approach): a model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of the historical exploitation of nations by rich ones. Criticisms: 1. It wrongly assumes that no one gets richer without someone getting poorer. 2. It is wrong to blame rich nations for global poverty because many of the poorest countries have had little contact with rich nations. 3. It points the finger at a single factor- the capitalist market system, as the cause of global inequality. 4. It is wrong to claim that global trade always makes rich nations rich and poor nations poor. 5. It offers vague solutions to poverty. pg 311 chart

Modernization theory and its critisisms

Modernization Theory (follows structural-functionalism): a model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of technological and cultural differences between nations Points out that not every society wants to adopt new technology. It identifies tradition as the greatest barrier to economic development. Criticisms: 1. Modernization has simply not occurred in many poor countries. 2. Modernization theory fails to recognize how rich nations often block the path for poor countries. 3. Modernization theory treats rich and poor societies as separate worlds, ignoring ways in which international relations affected all nations. 4. Modernization theory holds the most developed countries as the standard for judging the rest of humanity 5. Modernization theory suggests that causes of poverty lie in the poor societies themselves. pg 311 chart

The severity and extent of world poverty

Severity: page 300, Extent: page 301

Global Stratification: Looking Ahead

Page 311 and 312