Modernization Theory in Western Countries - JM

John Mazziotti

Mr. Roddy

Global Politics

December 8th, 2019

Modernization Theory Blog: Rostow’s Five Stage Model of Development

I chose “Rostow’s Model” of Development because I think it is the perfect example of a basic understanding of developing countries, and countries that are already fully developed. The “Stage 1” section of Rostow’s Model displays a very finite example of how subsistence farming, bartering, and trade, are the basic key features of a developing society. Western countries upped the list mostly due to the “Industrial Revolution”, and continued to grow from there. Currently, in Europe, subsistence farming is almost non-existent, and most of it was fazed out before the first World War, because of developing technologies that aided farming. Essentially, all of the countries in Central Europe reached “Stage 2 and 3” before WWI, having upgraded infrastructure, skill development, and efficiency. A great example of a “Stage 1” country would be Italy in the Middle Ages, which is when Italy cultivated crops not to sell to anyone, but for self-sufficiency. This was during the Byzantine Empire, and livestock such as pigs, cows, sheep, etc, were also being raised at the same time, not just crops. Right now, “Stage 5” countries are obviously all over the world, and also the global superpowers: The US, China, Russia. These countries are still rising in trade, their economies are flourishing, so they can be easily recognized as “Stage 5” societies.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/subsistence-farming

https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy/Economy-and-society#ref43405
(Subsistence Farming Section)

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