SOCI 210 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Modernization Theory, Technological Determinism, Determinism
3 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Technology & Development
Wednesday March 14th
Defining Technology
• Tehology is the siee ad at of gettig thigs doe though the appliatio of
skills ad koledge
• Tehology is the apaity to ogaize ad use physial ifastutue, ahiey ad
euipet, koledge ad skills
o Technology is more than obtaining machinery putting skills/knowledge to use
Technology creation and diffusion
• Resource abundance and shortages assist in development and diffusion of technology
• Green revolution: approach to agriculture in the 60s and 70s
o Goal: scientifically alter crops/seeds so they have higher yields (rice & wheat)
o Regions in Asia & Africa modernization theory (correct application of theory)
o 25% increase in yield in Asia, 41% in Africa
• The green revolution has environmental consequences
o Reduction in genetic diversity
o Crops needed water problem for Africa
o Increase in inequality
▪ Farmers who could crops afford vs. not
• Technologies can be created independently but also be bought, copied, and stolen pre-
patenting
o Trading in Asia and China brought paper making, textiles, gunpowder etc. to
Middle East then Europe through trade
o Asian technology based on Western technology
• Commerce and warfare have contributed to technological development and diffusion
o Technologies developed for warfare
▪ Mathematics: optimize distribution
▪ Internet: developed in response to potential prospect of nuclear war
• Technological disparities have led to the conquest of nations
o Technology being for the conquest of other people
▪ Europe with superior weapons colonizing the world
Appropriate Technology
• Technology that fits the small-scale, grass-roots, and community-based organizations
• Technology that is appropriate to the environmental, cultural, and economic context to
which it is transferred
• Not a lesser kind of technology, but one that works, is suitable for context, requires few
resources, and costs less with minimal environmental impact, try to tap into some local
knowledge
o Using methods used by indigenous cultures
• Examples
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
