Theoretical Bases for the Examination of
the Obstacles to Economic Development
The theoretical bases for the examination of the obstacles to economic development are considered in two major discussions. The first discussion emphasizes development models, while the concepts of economic growth are reviewed in the second discussion.
There are many ways by which development models may be classified. Development models may be grouped as those that posit a more or less universal transition from a (1) feudal mode of production and social structure to a capitalist one, or (2) traditional type of society, economy and culture, to one that is more modern in its main features.1 In each of these approaches to the analysis of development, the critical importance of the function of elites and of social mobilization are recognized.2 The best indicator of social mobilization is provided by the rate of urbanization.3
There are also the sequence and stage models of development. The two principal varieties of these models are (1) models involving standard stages, sequences, or paths of development, and (2) statements of relationships without well defined temporal orders. For the most part, theorists have moved away from stages and toward relationships. Thus, most models do not require that a society enter into and complete a predetermined developmental condition. One stage model has been developed, however, that also addresses relationships, and which, if properly applied, provides for both cross sectional and cross temporal analysis. This model is the crises of development model. The five crises of development in this model are (1) penetration; (2) participation; (3) identity; (4) legitimacy; and (5) distribution.
A major problem associated with the examination of a political/economic system is that such systems do not exist in a vacuum they are embedded in, and closely related to, many other
1A. G. Frank, "The Developmen...