Economic Development Theories: Rostow and Wallerstein FRQ

Two theories of economic development are Rostow’s Stages of Economic Growth and Wellerstein’s World Systems. Rostow’s theory argues that all countries can attain higher levels of development by progressing through a five-step process. Wallerstein argues that the world will remain divided among periphery, semi periphery and core regions.

Identify two countries or regions of the world on which Rostow’s model was based.

Using the Rostow model, explain why improving a country’s infrastructure is a precondition for economic development.

Describe the types of economic products that the periphery supplies to the core and semi periphery.

Explain the economic role that semi periphery countries often provide for core countries.

Explain why world systems theorists often argue that multinational corporations act as a neocolonial economic force.

Explain the importance of commodity dependence for economic development.

Compare the geographic patterns of the World Systems model (Map A) to the patterns of commodity dependence (Map B).