A number of criticisms have been made of modernization theories. It is based on the model of development in the West and is thus a culturally arrogant model of development, which ignores the possibility of the development of novel societal forms in the Third World. Further it is argued that modernization does not necessarily lead to industrial growth and equal distribution of social benefits since it does not occur evenly and has resulted in the underdevelopment and dependency of some areas. Modernization theories have also been criticized for only examining processes which occur within a society rather than factors outside of it. Thus, they ignore colonialism as an important factor influencing the development of many Third World countries.
Critics point out that behind modernization theories lay both political and ideological concerns.
Many of the main theorists were from the US and involved in governmental advisory roles, and explicitly committed to the curtailment of Socialism or Communism in the Third World . Allen, Davina A. DA Bloomsbury Guide to Human Thought 2. Convergence Theory Bloomsbury Guide to Human Thought 3. Dependency Theory Bloomsbury Guide to Human Thought 4. Diffusionism Bloomsbury Guide to Human Thought 5.