Modernization Theory

From what I understand, the modernization theory is the idea that the reason underdeveloped
countries are underdeveloped or not as developed as western countries is because they do not
function the same way that western capitalist countries do, nor do they follow the same beliefs
and ideals. Whether it be their forms of government, distribution of money, Class separations or
justice systems, if they do not do these things the same way as western capitalist countries it is
essentially wrong. 
The modernization theory is an older theory, no longer commonly referred to, so examples are
challenging to find. There are also no countries that use the whole process of the theory. The
modernization theory was created to somewhat justify the ways of western capitalist countries at
the time, which there were very few countries that fell into this category. However there are
instances in which the theory was partially used.
For example, when the smallpox epidemic occurred in the 1950s, there were over 50 million
cases recorded worldwide, and the US and Russia at the time was willing to donate vaccines and
medication to countries that needed it. By the 1970s smallpox had been basically eradicated, none
of which would have happened without the use of western technology. The reason this falls
under the partial use of the modernization theory is because underdeveloped countries followed
the developed countries in order to solve and issue. 

However, when researching this it was referred to as almost fully following the theory and I
disagree with that. These countries were not following the ideals or beliefs of the western
countries as opposed to just abiding by their technology. They needed the use of their further
advanced technology, but this is an extremely temporary instance, and after smallpox was
eradicated these countries went back to their own ways, without the use of westernized opinions.
This made me further question when the modernization theory stopped being used, because the
1900s is not actually very old, and was still referenced less than half a decade ago. 

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