Last Updated on June 29, 2025 by Karl Thompson
Explore sociological theories of development including modernisation, dependency and world systems theory. Learn why poor countries remain underdeveloped.
Classic and Critical Development Theories
When studying sociological theories of development, it’s helpful to begin with the foundational perspectives that shaped the global development debate. Three key theories—Modernisation, Dependency, and World Systems Theory—each offer contrasting explanations for global inequality and different pathways toward development. These models are frequently compared in both A-level and university-level sociology courses.
- Modernisation Theory – A functionalist approach that argues development follows a linear path from traditional to modern societies.
- Dependency Theory – A Marxist critique of modernisation, suggesting global inequality is maintained by exploitation from core nations.
- World Systems Theory – Wallerstein’s global model that categorises countries into core, semi-periphery, and periphery zones of influence.
Understanding these three core models provides the basis for evaluating more recent theories, including neoliberal and post-development perspectives.
Neoliberalism and Alternative Approaches
While early sociological theories of development focus on structural and historical causes of inequality, more recent perspectives shift attention toward contemporary global processes and alternative models of progress.
Neoliberalism, in particular, has dominated global development policy since the 1980s, promoting free markets and minimal government intervention as the key drivers of growth. In contrast, post-development and people-centred approaches challenge both the assumptions and outcomes of this economic model—arguing that development should focus less on GDP and more on people’s well-being, agency, and cultural context.
The following posts explore these modern alternatives to earlier theories:
- Neoliberalism and Development – The role of free markets, deregulation, and global trade in driving economic growth.
- Post-Development Perspectives – A critical view rejecting traditional development altogether as a Western-centric project.
- People-Centred Development – An approach that puts human well-being, education, and local empowerment at the heart of progress.
Case Studies: Why Are Poor Countries Poor?
To evaluate how well these theories explain real-world development, we can turn to major case studies and global analyses. Authors such as Paul Collier, Daron Acemoglu, and Jeffrey Sachs offer contrasting explanations for why poor countries remain poor—drawing on themes like conflict, corruption, weak institutions, and the need for targeted aid. These case studies provide a bridge between theory and practice, helping students assess the relevance of development models in different contexts.
- The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs – Makes the case for strategic, targeted aid to lift countries out of poverty permanently.
- The Bottom Billion by Paul Collier – Explores four traps that keep countries in poverty, including conflict and bad governance.
- Why Nations Fail – Argues that inclusive political and economic institutions are key to long-term development.
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🌍 For a full range of revision resources on theories of development, global inequality, aid, and trade, check out my A level sociology Globalisation and Global Development page .