Theories of Development and Globalisation

Assignment Brief

Module Title: Theories of Development and Globalisation

Module Code: AI5201

MODULE AIMS

To provide students with a detailed overview and critical analysis of theories of development, theories of globalisation and assessment of the contemporary globalising processes. To relate these theories to the practice of development, both in terms of macro strategies of social and political change, and micro strategies of local participation and examine how these particularly influence the developing world.  

MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Demonstrate awareness of the major theories of development and show how they are applied to development practice.
2. Evaluate the origins, implementation and consequences of development rationales in a variety of colonial contexts.
3. Articulate key development themes and their respective problems.
4. Analyse the graduate labour market, identifying job opportunities (whether paid or unpaid) and attendant recruitment practices.
5. Apply previous learning on team roles so as to illustrate understanding of team working in the workplace, recognising and respecting differing perspectives.
6. Distinguish between competing perspectives on globalisation and critically analyse these approaches in the light of contemporary development processes.

Thinking skills

1. Critically evaluate and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each of the theories and how they relate to practice of development.
2. Compare and contrast own skills, behaviours, attitudes and competences with those prized by graduate employers, and propose personal actions to bring these closer together. 
3. Analyse how globalisation influences particular development trajectories, including understanding how these competing perspectives lead to different expectations concerning development potentials

 Subject-based practical skills

1. Identify and critically analyse the ways in which social actors attempt to change these processes;
2. Identify graduate selection processes relevant to the chosen field and consider the process of applying for a job and evaluate appropriate interview and presentation techniques to constructively critique professional practice in a chosen field, identifying relevant personal strengths and weaknesses 
3. Reflect upon their own employment aspirations and align to current employment opportunities and reflect on the requirements of the job market; construct an application and critically review the application process.
4. Select, implement, be able to reflect critically on the main theories of development and globalisation and how they relate to practice.
5. Be able to articulate the successes and failures of development and globalisation in a clear and concise way.
6. Identify and critically analyse the ways in which social actors attempt to change these processes;
7. Reflect upon the framework for colonial rule and how development was managed by critically evaluating  development policy and practice

Skills for life and work (general skills)

1. Express complex ideas through academic essay writing.
2. Demonstrate subject knowledge in time constrained environment without access to resources
3. Develop advanced research skills using library-based and electronic resources, and comply with academic norms in referencing and citation.
4. Express and analyse complex ideas in exam situations without access to resources

Sample Answer

Theories of Development and Globalisation

Introduction

The study of development and globalisation has long been central to understanding how societies change, interact, and respond to social, political, and economic challenges. Development theories provide explanations for how progress and growth can be achieved, while globalisation theories explain how interconnectedness shapes these processes. Both sets of ideas highlight tensions between growth and inequality, opportunity and dependency, as well as innovation and exploitation. This essay will critically examine the main theories of development and globalisation, their application to practice, and the way they influence the developing world. It will also reflect on colonial contexts, contemporary challenges, and the role of social actors in shaping change.

Theories of Development

Development theories aim to explain how societies move from one stage of progress to another. Classical modernisation theory suggests that countries develop by adopting Western models of industrialisation, democracy, and consumption. It assumes that progress is linear and that developing countries simply follow the path of the West. While this theory offered optimism, it has been criticised for being ethnocentric and overlooking cultural diversity.

Dependency theory provided an alternative by arguing that underdevelopment was not a stage, but a result of exploitation by wealthier nations. It suggests that colonialism and unequal trade locked poorer countries into a dependent relationship, preventing self-sustained growth. This theory highlights structural inequality but has been criticised for underestimating local agency and the possibility of reform through global cooperation.

More recently, world-systems theory by Wallerstein built on dependency ideas by dividing the world into a core, semi-periphery, and periphery, where global power relations shape opportunities for development. Post-development theory goes further by questioning the very idea of “development” as a Western-imposed construct that often undermines local traditions and knowledge systems. These critical perspectives remind us that development cannot be understood as a universal pathway, but must be examined in terms of power, culture, and history.

Theories of Globalisation

Globalisation refers to the growing interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures. Neoliberal globalisation theory emphasises free markets, liberalisation, and integration of global trade as drivers of growth. Proponents argue that globalisation brings opportunities for investment, innovation, and poverty reduction. However, critics point to widening inequality, exploitation of labour, and environmental degradation.

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