Blog 5- Modernization and Dependency Theory.. What fun!

In class last week, we talked extensively about the Modernization and Dependency Theories. When it comes down to it, the Dependency theory is just a rebuttal to the Modernization theory. (There are four points to each theory, but I am just going to touch on one point each.)

The part that intrigued me the most was that the Modernization Theory says that globalization will be shaped by the Western civilizations. It is what all countries try to strive for. One of those things they will try to strive for is democracy.

The counter part this is found in the Dependency Theory. It says that there will still be "Dual Societies." Which means that there will be countries like China, Brazil and India; part of their culture will be traditional and part of it would be modern.

To look deeper at these theories, let us take a look at China. In some aspects, it looks like it will follow the modernization theory. Based on the growth in their economy, it looks as though China is turning more and more into a capitalistic country. Some people may even think that this trend will continue and eventually China will become a democracy, because China really cannot continue on as a "communist" (by China's standards, but not by Marx's) with economy that has a lot of capitalistic tendency. Their economy is unlike no other country in the past. Most "communist" countries are mainly self sufficient, like the historical example of the socialist East Germany. Once East Germany had a lot of pushes to become "like the rest of the world," the self-relying GDR really fell apart.

However, there is still a big push for communism in China; for example the riots in Hong Kong. Right now, people are upset in Hong Kong. China wants to choose their leaders and Hong Kong citizens have the choice of voting for the selected individuals. People are upset, because this really hinders their democratic government. However, China sees this as a threat. Hong Kong is a part of China and it is definitely not communist. I personally think this issue that is happening now is part of the steps to make Hong Kong a part of the communist China. I think this really supports more of the dependency theory.

Now that I have confused you even more of this topic, try to formulate your own opinions of which theories matches globalization more.

In this link below, you will see photographs from the riots in Hong Kong. It really depicts the situation of communism and democracy (aka, a more western train of thought). I did not want to copy and paste these into this blog, so I do not infringe on any copyright laws.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/28/honk-kong-policeteargasprodemocracyprotesters.html