Topic in IR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Topic in IR - Essay Example Adam Smith opposed this communist theory and instead advanced the capitalist model of development. The Cold War, after the end of World War II saw a resurgence of this theory, with the capitalist economies and communist blocs advancing the theory of modernization, but within the framework of their ideologies (pg.17). Modernization involves five stages since all countries are at one of the development stages, that comprise of traditional society, transitional stage, take-off, drive to maturity and high mass consumption.(Rostow.W.W.1960), In its earliest forms, modernization had brought together masses of people leading to the establishment of either a democracy, communism or fascism. Modernization has shown people that strong democratic institutions lead to socio-economic development and cultural changes, which in turn lead to individual freedom and gender equality- all of which create a society whose main objective is to ensure human emancipation. The rise in self-expression makes society people- centered, and leads to the concept of freedom of choice. Modernization theory has thus created conditions conducive to the humanistic transformation of society, which is its biggest asset. Economic development is the avowed goal of all societies and ideologies. The development of a nation and its place on the larger world stage is determined by the economic strength that the nations wield. This development can be promoted through democratic means as also by creating an authoritarian regime. The modern world swears by the advantages of a democratic set-up, but the success rates of economics thriving under authoritarian rule cannot be ignored. When we put the economies of South-east Asian nations under a scanner, what projects forth is a kaleidoscope of nations, governed democratically as well as by authoritarian regimes. While all democratic economies are performing extremely well, authoritarian nations too show a remarkable vibrant economic