Q: Assess critically A. G. Frank’s theory of development of underdevelopment’.

Model Answer:

A G Frank Development of Underdevelopment

Andre Gunder Frank’s theory of the “development of underdevelopment” offers a critical perspective on global economic disparities, challenging conventional modernization theories. This approach, rooted in dependency theory, argues that underdevelopment is not a natural state but a consequence of historical processes and exploitative relationships between core (developed) and peripheral (underdeveloped) nations.

Key points of Frank’s dependency theory include:

1. Historical Context: Frank argues that underdevelopment began with the expansion of global capitalism, particularly during the colonial era. This process integrated peripheral economies into the world system in a subordinate position.

2. Surplus Extraction: Core nations systematically extract economic surplus from the periphery through unequal trade relationships, creating a continuous drain of resources and hindering local development.

3. Satellite-Metropole Structure: Frank describes a hierarchical global system where peripheral “satellites” are economically dependent on core “metropoles,” perpetuating underdevelopment.

4. Distorted Economic Structures: The theory posits that peripheral economies become structurally distorted, oriented towards export production rather than internal needs, leading to limited industrial diversification.

While Frank’s theory provides valuable insights into global inequalities, critics argue that it:

– Oversimplifies complex historical processes
– Underestimates the potential for peripheral nations to achieve development within the capitalist system
– Neglects internal factors contributing to underdevelopment

Despite these criticisms, Frank’s work remains influential in understanding global economic disparities and has contributed significantly to dependency theory and world-systems analysis in sociology and development studies.