The notion of development and modernization:
The notion of development often relied on the West being considered the benchmark or standard. Many experts and individuals believed that 'development' meant becoming more 'modern,' and this idea of modernity was based on becoming like the industrialized nations of the West. It was assumed that every country would follow a similar path of modernization, mirroring the breakdown of traditional social structures and the emergence of capitalism and liberalism in the West. Modernization was closely associated with growth, material progress, and scientific rationality. This perspective on development allowed for classifying different countries as developed, developing, or underdeveloped. |