A.G. Frank (1967) made the claim that ‘underdeveloped’ societies were ..........

The correct answer is - Economically dependent on the wealthy countries that exploit them

Key Points

• A.G. Frank's Dependency Theory
  • A.G. Frank (1967) argued that so-called 'underdeveloped' societies are not primitive or lacking in economic activity but are actively exploited by wealthier nations.
  • These societies are economically dependent on developed countries (wealthy "metropoles"), which benefit from the resources and labor of these poorer "satellite" countries.
• Core Idea
  • The global capitalist system creates a structure where wealthy nations dominate and exploit underdeveloped nations, reinforcing economic disparities.
  • This relationship prevents economic growth and development in satellite nations, which are locked into a cycle of dependency.
• Rejection of Other Options
  • Option 1: "Insufficiently involved in the international capitalist economy" is incorrect because underdeveloped nations are deeply integrated but in a dependent and exploitative manner.
  • Option 2: "Reluctant to surrender their traditional ways of life" is incorrect because the theory does not focus on cultural resistance but economic exploitation.
  • Option 4: "The 'metropoles' to which 'satellite' countries were attached" is incomplete and does not directly explain underdevelopment.

Additional Information

• Dependency Theory
  • Developed by scholars like A.G. Frank and Immanuel Wallerstein, this theory highlights the unequal economic relationships between nations in the capitalist global economy.
  • It contrasts with modernization theory, which views development as a linear process that all nations can achieve independently.
• Key Concepts in Dependency Theory
  • Metropoles: The wealthy, industrialized nations that dominate global trade and exploit resources.
  • Satellites: The underdeveloped nations that depend economically on the metropoles and supply them with cheap labor and raw materials.
  • Exploitation: Wealth is systematically extracted from satellite nations, leaving them impoverished and underdeveloped.
• Relevance to Global Development
  • The theory explains why many nations remain underdeveloped despite participating in international trade.
  • It emphasizes the need for structural changes in the global economy to promote equitable development.