The Dependency Theorists Interoperation of Global Inequality - Essay Example

The strengths and weaknesses of dependency theorist’s interoperation of global inequality Universality: Introduction There are various theories that explain global inequality. These theories include dependency and world systems theories, market- oriented theories, and state centered theories. In each of these theories, there is a common shortcoming that is evident, that is they have a shortcoming of giving short shrift to the role women plays in relation to economic development. Nevertheless, there is a need to focus on what contributes to inequalities across the globe. Although the role of women has been singled out as one of the major shortcomings of these theories, this paper will focus on other factors that are perceived to be of immense significance when it comes to general shortcomings of these theories and their strengths as well. Specifically, this paper is going to evaluate the view of dependency theory in relation to its strengths and weaknesses in relation to interpretation of global inequality. Rationale for the dependency theorists and their strengths The emergence of dependence theory is based on the questioning of reliability of market-oriented theories like modernization theory. The major issue of concern was to reject the idea that the major reason according to modernization theory, why underdeveloped countries continued to be poor was due to their cultural and institutional faults. Dependency theorist built their argument based on Karl Marx’s capitalism. This is what was highlighted in major areas of concern as to why these countries were underdeveloped. They argued that capitalism was responsible for creation of a class of countries that manipulated other countries (Giddens 2009). This is in relation to what happens to capitalism within a country, where the rich or owners of means of production exploit workers or low class people. In light with this, dependency theorist argues that poverty and underdevelopment of low income countries is as a result of exploitation by the wealthy nations. In their view, dependency theorist believes that this kind of exploitation began with colonialism. This is the spectrum through which wealthy and powerful nations ruled over the weak nations for their greed for profit maximization and domination. For example, powerful nations have colonized poor countries in a bid to acquire raw materials to use in their factories. In addition, they ensure that they control the market from which the poor countries trade on. Unfortunately, the products sold in the controlled market are the end products of the raw materials taken by the wealthy nations. In fact, it is believed that this is well executed by global companies supported by big banks from the wealthy nations (Giddens 2009). In addition, these countries establish factories in developing countries, with the name of helping them. However, this is not the case in the ground. People employed to work in these factories are paid low wages. Their working conditions are below the standards. They face various violations of human rights. To worsen the situation, the raw materials used in these factories are obtained from the same country. As if this is not enough, the end products manufactured from these factories are exported to the wealthy nation owning the factory. It is apparent that most of the underdeveloped countries are controlled by the wealthy countries. They are burdened by large debts obtained from these countries. Notably, they allow the wealthy nations to control their political and economic issues since they have to obey their demands for their debts to be waved or withdrawn (Potter, et al 1999). In this state of affairs, it is the state of capitalism that dominates most of the issues surrounding the poverty state of these countries (Giddens 2009). In another dimension, such issues have been attributed to the emergence a more radical issue concerning the authenticity of the riches of the wealthy nations. The concept of the wealthy nation getting wealthier and wealthier has been correlated with the continued state of poor countries getting poorer as the wealthy nations get richer. This could mean that the wealth obtained by the wealthy nations could be obtained from the poor country. The weaknesses of the dependency theorists Although the dependency theorists come out clear on what contributes to poverty in underdeveloped countries, it is apparent that capitalism does not constitute to this state alone. Arguably, it would have been better if the theorist focused on a broader spectrum as to what these countries continue to be overruled by the wealth nations. For example, the theorists would have outlined what makes the poor countries to continue accepting being deprived off their wealthy by the rich countries even when they are aware of these deeds. In a way, it is true to argue that social and cultural issues continued to be a burden for many underdeveloped countries. For example, in many of these countries, the role of women is categorically defined as that of kitchen master. Any development agenda is widely known to belong to men. In light with this, even when there is a need for women to contribute to matters of economic development, they are pinned down by such cultural issues (Ritzer 2010). In addition, social issues have continued to burden poor countries for a long time. For example, the issue of focusing on leaders as powerful people who can obtain power by force has been contentious for a long time. It is apparent that most of the poor countries are characterized by poor and bad leadership. When people get into power, they disregard the rule of law and use force to execute major economic and political matters by force. When this happens, there is always the conflict of interest as the poor citizens try to push for issues based agenda while leaders and the rich prioritize on acquiring power and wealth. The end result of such intrigues is the gap widening between the rich and the poor. The most worrying trend is that when this happens, it becomes a nation of the few for the few. The majority of citizens becomes poor and only a few selected becomes the rich, thus, leading to overall underdevelopment (Giddens 2009). In another dimension, dependency theorists ought to have liberated on how these poor countries can get off the hook of the wealthy nations. For example, they would have outlined ways through which the poor countries can lay a strong foundation, which would make them have a stable government, which would create opportunities for people to develop themselves without, for example, relying on donations and credits from the rich countries. Issues such as abandoning less important social and cultural issues should have been highlighted while encouraging them to adopt strategies used by wealthy nations to develop. For example, the need to have an educated populace is critical in ensuring that development agendas are tackled. This would make these countries dependent in several areas. An example of such a situation is when a poor country educates its citizens, and the educated lot comes up with strategies of turning raw materials into consumable products through processing. This is what can be termed as the art of technology. It is believed that over two thirds of people in poor countries are far land, but lack industrial technology to better their farming strategies (Maconis & Plummer 2008). They use the old forms of farming, which contributes to low output. Instead of utilising other forms of power to facilitate their farming activities, they use manpower to perform most of their farming activities. This puts them in a state of underperformance. Dependency theorists ought also to have addressed the issue of the poor countries continued high population growth marred by lack of capabilities to support the increasing population. In fact, studies have documented that when countries tend to have a continued high population rates without setting standards of sustaining the population, the end result is that these countries continues to be in a state of poverty. This situation is worsened by the issue of social stratification in most of the developing countries. For example, countries that rely on farming, experiences highest rates of inequality especially on landowners and small farming families. At least 10 percent of the land owners own more than half of the land while small farming families own little or no land. In fact, according to mordernisation theory, the greatest barrier to development is tradition and cultural issues. This is supported by the idea that all countries were once poor, but is the selected few that endorsed technological innovation that succeeded in becoming industrialized, thus developing (Maconis & Plummer 2008). In light with this, dependency theorists ought to have highlighted such issues in order to bring out the picture of poverty in underdeveloped countries. Conclusion It is apparent that dependence theory highlights central issues that contribute to continued state of poor countries being underdeveloped. However, dependency theorist tends to mainly focus on historical injustices marked by colonialism and capitalism. Nevertheless, these are fundamental issues that need to be addressed if the poor countries have to realise development and growth. Conversely, dependency theorists out to have highlighted other issues that hinders efforts by the poor countries to develop. Such issues include social, cultural, and technological deficiency. Bibliography: Giddens, A., 2009: Sociology: Sixth Edition, Cambridge: Polity Press, pp548-556 Maconis, J. & Plummer, K., 2008: Sociology: A Global Introduction: 4th edition; Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, pp280-291 Ritzer, J., 2010: Globalization: A Basis Text, Malden: Wiley-Blackwell, pp71-73, pp98-100 Potter, et al. 1999: Geographies of Development. Harlow: Pearson, pp.88-96 Read More