Critique of the Modernization Theory's Conceptions of Underdevelopment: A Theoretical Approach, 2023
The conceptualization and understanding of underdevelopment remained a fundamental issue in any d... more The conceptualization and understanding of underdevelopment remained a fundamental issue in any discourse of development studies. The modernization theory conceived underdevelopment as either systemic in the Third World's culture or even a natural phenomenon. This paper aimed to critique the position of the modernization theory's conceptions that underdevelopment is a natural phenomenon, and intended to advance other reasons for underdevelopment. To achieve this, an attempt has been made to analyse and critique some dominant modernization theories. The paper adopted the underdevelopment and dependency theory developed by Andre Gunder Frank as a theoretical framework. The methodology adopted for this paper was purely documentary where existing works on the subject matter have been consulted and analysed critically. The study revealed among others that underdevelopment is never a 'natural phenomenon' as the modernization theorists wanted us to believe, rather it is a product of historical antecedents and continues economic, political and social relationship by the Third World Countries with the so-called developed countries. The present underdeveloped countries were developed at the same level as the so-called developed countries before their contact with the West. The study further, confirmed the position of Andre Gunder Frank, that until the ties between the two blocs are weakened or completely halted, underdevelopment will perpetuate itself in the Third World Countries.
Democracy in Nigerian context has been unable to promote national unity and integration. This is ... more Democracy in Nigerian context has been unable to promote national unity and integration. This is due to many different interrelated factors such as ethnicity, religiosity, regionalism and corruption and as well the manner in which the Nigerian state evolved as federal entity. This paper sought to examine the practice of democracy in Nigeria's federal state with the aim of exploring its impact on Nigerian national unity and integration. In achieving these, Findings from the study reveal that ineffectiveness of leadership and the orientation of Nigerians toward Nigerian state have been the bane of democracy and Nigerian national unity and integration. Although, several institutions and policies have been established to promote national unity and integration, these, have yielded inadequate results. The study recommends among others the proper institutionalisation of the many good policies directed at inculcating the spirit of national unity and integration. Also leaders should embrace the principles and practices of good governance characterized by effectiveness, participatory, accountability, responsiveness, equitable and inclusiveness, as against the politics of divide and rule.
Democracy in Nigerian context has been unable to promote national unity and integration. This is ... more Democracy in Nigerian context has been unable to promote national unity and integration. This is due to many different interrelated factors such as ethnicity, religiosity, regionalism and corruption and as well the manner in which the Nigerian state evolved as federal entity. This paper sought to examine the practice of democracy in Nigeria's federal state with the aim of exploring its impact on Nigerian national unity and integration. In achieving these, Findings from the study reveal that ineffectiveness of leadership and the orientation of Nigerians toward Nigerian state have been the bane of democracy and Nigerian national unity and integration. Although, several institutions and policies have been established to promote national unity and integration, these, have yielded inadequate results. The study recommends among others the proper institutionalisation of the many good policies directed at inculcating the spirit of national unity and integration. Also leaders should embrace the principles and practices of good governance characterized by effectiveness, participatory, accountability, responsiveness, equitable and inclusiveness, as against the politics of divide and rule.
Uploads
Papers by Ibrahim Musa