Group 1: Colleen Burke, Oressa Gray-Mullen

How do the theoretical frameworks evolve and change from one to the other?

Starting with Modernization, this framework is a bit more narrow and highlights a divide between “civilized” and “uncivilized,” viewing certain societies (modern) as more productive. Within the Modernization framework, it is expected that in order to become modern, a nation or community must adopt the values and structure of a “modern” state and replace their traditions. This modern pursuit is a western ethnocentric ideal based upon the nation-state framework and was established during high American and Soviet influence after WWII. Modernization expects a radical but gradual and lengthy process towards homogeneousness as the third world countries move towards the first.

This moves forward into Dependency, with the idea that underdeveloped states are subordinate to the first world core. This concept was developed from neo-marxism and Keynes’ economic theory. However, one of the main differences and changes from Modernization to Dependency, is that within the Dependency framework it is believed that “peripheral nations experience most economic development when ties to the core are weakest.” The many are marginalized as social inequalities and economic growth rise during economic denationalization and domestic industrialization. 

Beyond this, we come to the World Systems Model, in which the economy and framework is viewed at a more macro level, looking at it as a global, dependent network rather than as separate nations/regions. As international communications developed and more multinational events and change occurred, the World Systems Model grew in the 1960s. 

Which ultimately leads us to Globalization, a framework that highlights social relations stretching facilitated by communications, media, and transportation and allows room for conditions to vary based on cultural factors within each nation. While also transcending the nation-state divides, globalization expects deterritorialization and radical new relationships. The goal of Globalization appears to be for more interconnectedness while attempting to “transcend homogenization” which is very far from Modernization, which assumes things must be replaced and taken over in a way.

How do the frameworks lack further explanations as to how people live their lives? 

Looking at theories of Modernization and Dependency, there is a clear ethnocentrism. However, there are ways of reaching modern ideals of success that do not match the ethnocentric view of modernization. Additionally, the fluctuation of wealth in third world countries diminish dependency theory. There is information missing on how the “periphery” nations or the third world countries maintain their own independence and cultural practices, as both theories call for them to essentially bow to “core” nation attributes in order to rise. There is a clear misunderstanding of the third world’s conditions and desires for progress and how that progress would look best for them (rather than assuming the “modern” Western states know best). It is

interesting to look at World Systems and Globalization and consider how we maintain and share individual cultures, communities, and practices while becoming so interconnected with technology and communication. Although this scale feels all encompassing, it is also too macroscopic to realistically reflect on people’s lives. 

How does the economics piece connect people in different ways through mobility and education?Over time, major changes in theory are due to political motion and human events both effecting or being the product of economic change internationally and within different regimes. Multinational economics has the capacity to strengthen bonds between nations through interdependent trade and a capitalist free flowing market. This can lead to denationalized economics; the capitalistic market is central to Globalization and Dependency theory rather than the nation-states bound geographically. This demands change in education or the thinking around people’s identities and goals. In the world systems theory, a nation’s economic system should be understood in relation to the world-system- a change in perception for economic gain. In modernization, the modern ideals are built around industrial progress for economic gain. To become “civilized” means to unlearn or leave behind the uncivilized. Depending on where you began, economics may be a motivation for people to migrate or seek out education in another space, specifically a wealthy first world country. It also has the capacity to connect people through jobs, or encourage movement to different nations in search of a new job or new opportunities for economic growth.

Jill Clark Group 2

This Youtube video is titled Interviews from Quito: The Flow of Migrants in Ecuador. This interview takes a look at the flow of migrants arriving in Ecuador from neighboring countries. This video reiterates and clarifies some of the main points made by Slodidad Alverez Velazco in her videos: Migrant Flows and Migrant Stories: Racism and Transferable Education. 

The videos discussed the flow of migration to Ecuador from neighboring countries and from countries around the world. The videos discuss the arduous routes that immigrants must take and how a migratory journey can change one’s perception of the world.

What I found most interesting, but not surprising is that the media contributes to misinformation and stereotypes that people may have about immigrants. Consequently, immigrants face descrimination and prejudice and are unable to earn livable wages. The videos noted that immigrants generally are often not looked at for what value they can bring to a county. When in fact, many immigrants come with education and are highly skilled. They should not be looked at as a threat but as an opportunity to generate innovation and growth. 

I was having trouble keeping up with the subtitles, so I asked my friend who is from Ecuador to translate to make sure that I did not miss any important points. After she watched the video’s she told me that her parents migrated to the United States from Ecuador in the 1960s. She said that in Ecuador her father held a degree in engineering. However, because of the language barrier, and racism, he was never able to work as an engineer in the United States. 

Refrences 

telesur. (2019). Interviews from quito: flow of migration from ecuador. Retrieved February 3, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz7AC1wI0UQ. 

Group 3 Natalie Bankhead, Melissa Janco, Paige McCary

• How do the theoretical frameworks evolve and change from one to the other? 

These theoretical frameworks evolve and change from one to the other due to different historical events and overall changes in global society.  Modernization was brought about after  WWII. Modernization is the initial movement of development and theorizes that rural environments and States undergo a systematic transformation to urbanized environments through industrialization and a transformation of traditional values. This Western/Americanization is nearly impossible to reverse.

 Modernization shifts to a Dependency Theory model explaining the exploitation of labor and resources from periphery countries to core countries wherein resources and wealth accrue. The Dependency Theory holds that to counteract this exploitation, national markets and national industrialization need to be developed in order to create stronger local markets and standard of living.  The Theory of Dependency began in the 1950’s as a result of several different prominent theories at the time including neo-marxism and Keynes’ economic theory.  Modernization and the Theory of Dependency are both derived from research conducted on third world development.  

The World Systems model considers a global economy instead of nation states and seeks to seek the upward and downward mobility in world economy focusing on the semi-periphery and periphery of the global economy. The Theory of World Systems emerged in the 1960’s. At this time many societal changes and economic changes were evolving on an international level rather than that of the states. 

Globalization theory considers massive increase of global communications at every levels to change the culture and enables virtual economic transactions empowering minorities but overall businesses and powerful elite are the decision makers for world economic and social structures

Overall, these four theories are focused around research and studying third world countries’ development.  They all have an emphasis on sciences and technology. 

• How do the frameworks lack further explanations as to how people live their lives? 

The earlier frameworks of Modernization and the Theory of Dependency both seem to lack an explanation as to how people in third world countries maintain their own individual cultures, traditions and customs while also improving their financial and political standings in the world.  As economic theory evolves towards Globalization, there seems to be more of an opportunity for individuals to maintain their cultures and interact in a global economy. 

 Lastly, it seems that these theories focus on the systems at play, but lack regard for the way these massive transitions would uproot the lives of individuals.  These changes impact the types of jobs available, the infrastructure in their area, cultural wisdom, and use of natural resources.  

Overall, these frameworks fail to take account of our limited and shared natural resources as well as the emerging regenerative movement that encourages localized and decreased economies. They see development and economy in terms of industrialization and technological advancement rather than living in harmony with the earth and communities. 

• How does the economics piece connect people in different ways through mobility and education? 

These economic models account for distribution of resources and why people would need to migrate  and redistribute themselves in relation to the economic evolution from rural to urban, developing to industrial regions and as a result transform their sociocultural values in order to survive. 

Economics connects people through jobs and through the distribution of resources.  People often move for job opportunities and educational opportunities.  Additionally, people often seek education based on the types of skills that will provide them with employment opportunities.

This globalization and migration is seen in the migration patterns of South America to North America. Individuals are often from a rural environment and coming to work in industrial jobs in city centers due to lack of resources, instability, and economic opportunity.