Trends in de ontwikkelingstheorie

Samenvatting

Recent discussion in development theory considers Third World underdevelopment to be a product of capitalist development in Western & industrialized economies. The discussion was initiated by Third World economists & sociologists, who have developed new theoretical perspectives that tie in with classical theories of capitalist expansion, but emphasize the consequences for peripheral capitalist economies. The departure point for this new perspective is found in a critical analysis of traditional development theories: dualism, sociological & sociopsychological modernization, & 'economistic' strategy-theories. The new approach is a general metatheoretical perspective that needs further elaboration & specification. Recent studies in theories of imperialism & class analysis partly fulfill this need. Remarks are presented on the relevance of these trends in development theory for the Dutch tradition of social scientific research in the Third World. Modified HA.