THE FORMATION OF MODERNIZATION THEORY AND ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the theories expressed by the supporters of
the single-tape linear theory of society modernization. It presents some alternative concepts
of society development as well. Describing a particular case - the Western countries path
to modernity - the scientists of the 1950s and the fi rst part of the 1960s attached it a universal
value. Thereby the phenomenon of modernization was seen by them as a synonym
of westernization. Whereas the national culture of a modernizing country was considered
to be the remnant of the traditional society and, therefore, an obstacle to modernity. The
opponents of the modernization theory criticized the thesis of universality of the Western
path to modernity. Noting the lack of progress in the developing countries, they focused
on searching the causes of backwardness of the third world countries. According to the
researchers the disastrous situation of the developing countries is a consequence of the
global socio-economic system built by the West where the wealth of some countries causes
the poverty of the rest.