Rostow's Development Model Notes

Rostow's Development Model

Traditional Society

  • Description:

    • Not yet starting the process of development.

    • High percentage of people in agriculture.

    • Money directed towards non-development activities (e.g., military, religion).

    • Characterized by a primary sector-dominated economy.

    • Underdeveloped; low HDI (Human Development Index), low life expectancy, limited education.

  • Country Example: Sudan

  • US Time Period: Before 1776

  • Impetus for Change:

    • Be more open to change.

    • Consider incident to change (potential catalysts).

  • Barriers to Change:

    • Closed-mindedness.

    • Resistance to change.

    • Potential to remain stagnant and not progress.

Preconditions for Take-Off

  • Description:

    • Moving more out of agriculture.

    • Investment in technology and infrastructure.

    • Stimulation of increased productivity.

    • Transitioning from primary to secondary sectors (with some tertiary).

  • Country Examples: Colombia, Venezuela

  • US Time Period: Early 1800s

  • Impetus for Change:

    • Patience to grow.

    • Remaining open to new things.

    • Need for people to invest.

  • Barriers to Change:

    • Potential for bad investments.

Take-Off

  • Description:

    • Rapid growth which may be limited by a set of economic activities.

    • Achieving technical advances.

    • Becoming more productive.

    • Industrialization and specialization begin.

  • Country Examples: India, Brazil, China

  • US Time Period: Mid 1800s

  • Impetus for Change:

    • Thinking less traditionally when it comes to economics.

    • Adapting to modernization.

  • Barriers to Change:

    • Dependent

    • Inequality

Drive to Maturity

  • Description:

    • Modern technology diffuses to other segments of the economy.

    • Industry experiences rapid growth.

    • Workers become more skilled and specialized.

    • Characterized by a dominant tertiary sector.

  • Country Examples: Poland, Egypt

  • US Time Period: Late 1800s

  • Impetus for Change:

    • Patience to grow more if desired.

  • Barriers to Change:

    • If workers become more educated, no one will want to do the low-paying jobs.

    • Potential for de-industrialization due to lack of labor for less desirable jobs.

High Mass Consumption

  • Description:

    • Economy shifts from the production of heavy industry to consumer goods (e.g., cars, refrigerators).

    • High amounts of consumerism.

    • Diverse economy.

  • Country Example: Australia

  • US Time Period: Early 1900s