In this literature review, the author aims to explore functionalist notions within Development Studies (DS) and the sociology of development (SOD). For this purpose, he will firstly give a short introduction to three related theories of social change: functionalism, structural functionalism and neofunctionalism. In the next step, two important theories in DS that build on them will be presented: modernisation theory (MT) and dependency theory (DT). As this literature review is explicitly not intended to be a mere presentation of theoretical elaborations, the author follows an approach that is informed by case examples
Only a handful of social scientific terms can be considered to be as disputed as the presumable catch-all phrase 'development' that is also occasionally called an 'empty signifier'. Historically, the term went hand in hand with other well-intended terms such as 'empowerment', 'participation' or 'poverty reduction', ultimately resulting in one size fits all development recipes that are rather apolitical. On a rather abstract level, 'development' can also be considered a bundle of normatively positive and interconnected processes which, by now, only took place in some parts of the world.
The term quickly gained momentum after the end of the Second World War, when the so-called developed countries began attempting to 'modernise' so-called undeveloped countries (oftentimes their former colonies). Typically, the inauguration address of former US-President Harry S. Truman in 1949 is said to mark the onset of the era of development policy, with the discipline of Development Studies (DS) starting to evolve only a few years later. Initially considered to be mainly economically oriented, DS soon included approaches from a wider range of subjects and even led to the emergence of new sub-disciplines such as the sociology of development (SOD).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical framework
- Sociological Functionalism and Development
- Critical Discussion
- Conclusion and Outlook
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This literature review explores the presence and influence of functionalist notions within Development Studies (DS) and the Sociology of Development (SOD). It examines the relationship between functionalism, structural functionalism, and neofunctionalism as theories of social change, and analyzes how these theories have been applied in the context of development, particularly through modernization theory (MT) and dependency theory (DT). The review aims to provide an understanding of the historical development of these concepts within DS and SOD, highlighting their strengths and limitations.
- The role of functionalist concepts in understanding social change
- The application of functionalist theories in development studies
- The evolution of functionalist approaches within development studies
- Critical perspectives on the application of functionalism in development
- Potential research gaps and future directions in this area
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The chapter introduces the concept of 'development' as a complex and contested term in social science. It discusses the historical emergence of development discourse and the development of Development Studies (DS) as a discipline. The chapter emphasizes the significance of functionalist theories within DS and SOD and outlines the structure of the literature review.
- Theoretical framework: This chapter provides an overview of different functionalist theories, including functionalism, structural functionalism, and neofunctionalism. It examines the origins, key concepts, and theoretical frameworks of these theories. The chapter also explores the critiques leveled against these theories, particularly regarding their static nature and limitations in explaining social change.
- Sociological Functionalism and Development: This chapter delves into the application of functionalist theories in the context of development. It examines the theories of modernization and dependency, showcasing how these approaches utilize functionalist concepts to explain development processes. The chapter highlights the theoretical strengths and weaknesses of these perspectives and their impact on development discourse.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key keywords and focus topics include: functionalism, structural functionalism, neofunctionalism, social change, Development Studies, Sociology of Development, modernization theory, dependency theory, development discourse, critical analysis, research gaps, future directions.
- Quote paper
- Max Schmidt (Author), 2019, Digging to a hidden Sociological Core. (Neo)Functional Notions within Development Studies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/502732
