
Theories of Underdevelopment
Theories of underdevelopment explore why some countries remain poor or less developed. They include ideas like colonialism, where historical exploitation limited growth; structuralist theories, which point to unequal economic systems and reliance on a few exports; and dependency theory, suggesting that richer nations benefit at the expense of poorer ones. Others highlight internal factors like poor governance or lack of education. These theories help us understand the complex social, economic, and historical reasons behind persistent underdevelopment and guide efforts for sustainable growth and development.