Globalisation, poverty and inequalities — common mistakes

In essays, clearly distinguish between absolute and relative poverty. Use the concept of relative poverty to discuss inequality within developed nations, and absolute poverty when focusing on the most severe deprivation in developing countries.

Use Modernisation Theory to explain policies like foreign aid and the promotion of free trade by Western governments. However, be prepared to critique it for being ethnocentric and ignoring the history of colonialism, which is the central argument of Dependency Theory.

When discussing TNCs, link their activities (e.g., low wages, poor conditions, repatriation of profits) to Dependency Theory's concept of neo-colonial exploitation. This provides a strong theoretical anchor for your empirical examples.

Use the debate over SAPs as a concrete example of the clash between different theories. Neoliberals see them as a solution (akin to Modernisation Theory's focus on internal economic structures), while Dependency theorists see them as a tool of Western control and exploitation.

This is a central debate. Dependency theorists would argue yes, as it is a form of neo-colonialism that perpetuates exploitation. However, neoliberals and modernisation theorists argue globalisation is beneficial, bringing investment, technology, and jobs that can lift countries out of poverty. Sociologists recognise a more complex reality: while globalisation has created opportunities for some (e.g., the 'Asian Tigers' like South Korea), it has also increased inequality within nations and left many, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, further marginalised. The effects are uneven and depend heavily on a country's specific context and policies.

The effectiveness of foreign aid is highly contested. Modernisation theorists see it as essential for providing capital and expertise to kick-start development. However, dependency theorists, like Dambisa Moyo, argue that aid creates a culture of dependency, fosters corruption, and undermines local markets and democratic accountability. Neoliberals also criticise state-to-state aid, preferring market-based solutions. The sociological consensus is that the impact of aid depends on its type and implementation. Emergency aid is often vital, but long-term development aid's success is mixed and can be compromised by political interests of the donor country.

No, this is a common misconception that leads to oversimplification. The term 'developing world' or 'Global South' encompasses a vast range of countries with diverse histories, cultures, political systems, and economic situations. For example, rapidly industrialising nations like China and Brazil (often termed semi-periphery in World Systems Theory) face very different challenges to low-income, agrarian states in sub-Saharan Africa. Critiquing theories for 'homogenising' the developing world is a valid and important point of analysis in sociology.