QUESTION ONE
a) Define the following concepts and explain their interrelationships within
development discourse (6 marks)
• Development – 2 marks: Process of improving human well-being, economic growth,
social justice, and institutional transformation.
• Underdevelopment – 2 marks: A condition where resources are underutilized,
poverty is high, and dependency on external forces persists.
• Uneven development – 2 marks: The unequal distribution of resources and
opportunities across regions, caused by structural inequalities and global capitalism.
Interrelationship (explained through structural inequality and global processes) earns
up to 1 bonus mark within each part.
b) Discuss how theoretical perspectives have shaped the understanding and
implementation of development at local, national, and global levels (8 marks)
• Modernization Theory – 2 marks: Promotes industrialization, Western values, and
policy reforms.
• Dependency Theory – 2 marks: Critiques exploitation and structural dependence
between core and periphery.
• Neoliberalism – 2 marks: Emphasizes market reforms, liberalization, and
privatization.
• Sustainable Development and Human Development – 2 marks: Focus on people-
centered, inclusive, and environmentally sound development.
c) Compare and contrast Modernization Theory and Dependency Theory (10 marks)
• Similarities (2 marks): Both seek to explain development and underdevelopment
processes.
• Modernization Theory (4 marks): Focuses on internal factors, Western model
imitation, stages of growth (Rostow).
• Dependency Theory (4 marks): Focuses on external constraints, core-periphery
exploitation, and structural dependency (Frank, Amin).
d) Explain how globalization has simultaneously acted as a force for development and
underdevelopment (6 marks)
• Positive impacts (3 marks): Technology transfer, trade, global connectivity,
economic integration.
• Negative impacts (3 marks): Inequality, dependency, exploitation, cultural erosion,
and local disempowerment.
QUESTION TWO
a) Critically analyze the main assumptions of Modernization Theory (10 marks)
• Assumes linear progression from traditional to modern (2 marks)
• Internal causes of underdevelopment (2 marks)
• Emphasis on industrialization and education (2 marks)
• Role of Western models as benchmarks (2 marks)
• Critique and contextual examples (2 marks)
b) Evaluate three major criticisms leveled against Modernization Theory (10 marks)
• Ethnocentric bias – ignores cultural differences (3 marks)
• Neglects historical and structural inequality (3 marks)
• Overemphasis on Westernization and capitalism (4 marks, with examples from
Africa/Asia/Latin America)
QUESTION THREE
a) Explain the historical context in which Dependency Theory emerged and
contributions of Frank and Amin (10 marks)
• Emergence (3 marks): 1960s Latin America, postcolonial critique of modernization.
• Andre Gunder Frank (3 marks): Concept of ‘metropolis-satellite’ relationships.
• Samir Amin (4 marks): Structural dependency, delinking, and peripheral capitalism.
b) Assess the relevance of Dependency Theory today with examples (10 marks)
• Persistent dependency through trade, debt, and technology (4 marks)
• Case studies – Africa, Latin America (4 marks)
• Contemporary application in global supply chains and financial systems (2 marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Discuss key ideas of World Systems Theory (10 marks)
• Immanuel Wallerstein’s model (2 marks)
• Core, semi-periphery, and periphery system (4 marks)
• Role of global capitalism and division of labor (2 marks)
• Application examples – trade, labor, global production (2 marks)
b) Analyze how World Systems Theory explains global inequality (10 marks)
• Unequal exchange of goods and labor (3 marks)
• Technological dominance of core (3 marks)
• Peripheral dependency and limited mobility (2 marks)
• Real-world examples (2 marks)
QUESTION FIVE
a) Examine the propositions of Dialectical Materialism (10 marks)
• Marx’s focus on material conditions and production (2 marks)
• Class conflict as a driver of change (3 marks)
• Historical materialism – transformation through contradiction (3 marks)
• Application to development contexts (2 marks)
b) Discuss how Marxist perspectives have influenced contemporary development
planning (10 marks)
• Influence on state-led and socialist planning (3 marks)
• Emphasis on class equity, redistribution, and social justice (3 marks)
• Application in postcolonial and socialist states (2 marks)
• Critique of neoliberalism and capitalist dependency (2 mark
QUESTION ONE
a) Write short notes on the following: (15 Marks)
i) Meaning of a theory (2 Marks)
• Definition – A theory is a systematic explanation of phenomena by specifying
relationships among variables. (1 mark)
• It provides a framework for understanding, predicting, and explaining social and
economic processes. (1 mark)
ii) Core values of development (5 Marks)
• Sustenance – Ability to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and health (1 mark)
• Self-esteem – A sense of worth and self-respect (1 mark)
• Freedom – Ability to make choices and control one’s life (1 mark)
• Equity and justice – Fair distribution of resources and opportunities (1 mark)
• Sustainability – Ensuring intergenerational equity and resource conservation (1
mark)
iii) Development as a multi-dimensional process (5 Marks)
• Encompasses economic, social, political, and environmental changes (1 mark)
• Involves improvement in quality of life, literacy, and living standards (1 mark)
• Focuses on human-centered growth and participation (1 mark)
• Aims at reducing inequality and enhancing opportunities (1 mark)
• Integrates cultural and institutional transformation (1 mark)
iv) The concept of sustainable development (3 Marks)
• Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations (2 marks)
• Integrates economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection (1 mark)
b) Contributions of Adam Smith to Classical Theory of Development (5 Marks)
• Advocated for economic growth through free markets and division of labour (1
mark)
• Emphasized ‘invisible hand’ guiding efficient resource allocation (1 mark)
• Stressed importance of savings and investment in wealth creation (1 mark)
• Supported specialization and productivity improvement (1 mark)
• Linked moral sentiments and economic progress (1 mark)
c) Discuss the Social Exchange Theory (10 Marks)
• Based on cost-benefit analysis of social relationships (2 marks)
• Suggests individuals engage in interactions that maximize benefits and minimize
costs (2 marks)
• Relationships are maintained through reciprocity and trust (2 marks)
• Power dynamics arise from dependence and resource control (2 marks)
• Applied in understanding community participation, motivation, and social cohesion
(2 marks)
QUESTION TWO
a) Globalization and Development in Kenya (10 Marks)
• Definition and scope of globalization (2 marks)
• Positive impacts: technology transfer, market expansion, investment (3 marks)
• Negative effects: cultural erosion, economic dependency, inequality (3 marks)
• Balancing strategies: localization, policy reform, regional integration (2 marks)
b) Dependency Theory and its impact on Developing Countries (10 Marks)
• Premise: Underdevelopment caused by exploitation from developed nations (2
marks)
• Core-periphery relationship explanation (2 marks)
• Impact: trade imbalance, external debt, capital flight (3 marks)
• Criticism and alternatives: regional self-reliance, South-South cooperation (3 marks)
QUESTION THREE
a) Rostow’s Stages of Growth (10 Marks)
• Traditional society (1 mark)
• Preconditions for take-off (2 marks)
• Take-off stage (2 marks)
• Drive to maturity (2 marks)
• Age of high mass consumption (3 marks)
b) Issues in Modernization Theory (10 Marks)
• Emphasis on industrialization, urbanization, education (3 marks)
• Assumes linear progress and Western model imitation (3 marks)
• Focus on values, institutions, and technological advancement (2 marks)
• Criticisms: ethnocentric bias, neglect of dependency relations (2 marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Importance of Development Theory in Solving Development Problems (10 Marks)
• Provides conceptual frameworks for policy design (2 marks)
• Guides planning, implementation, and evaluation (2 marks)
• Enhances understanding of socio-economic dynamics (2 marks)
• Promotes critical thinking and informed decision-making (2 marks)
• Links theory with practical community interventions (2 marks)
b) Weaknesses of the World System Theory (10 Marks)
• Overemphasis on economic factors (2 marks)
• Neglect of local agency and internal dynamics (2 marks)
• Deterministic and static framework (2 marks)
• Insufficient explanation for newly industrialized countries (2 marks)
• Lack of prescriptive development strategies (2 marks)
QUESTION FIVE
a) Issues/Assumptions of Social Exchange Theory (10 Marks)
• Human behavior is rational and goal-oriented (2 marks)
• Relationships depend on perceived rewards and costs (2 marks)
• Reciprocity and trust maintain interactions (2 marks)
• Power arises from dependence and resource availability (2 marks)
• Applied in analyzing community and organizational relationships (2 marks)
b) Key Issues in Malthusian Theory (10 Marks)
• Population grows geometrically, food supply arithmetically (2 marks)
• Leads to poverty, famine, and resource scarcity (2 marks)
• Advocated moral restraint and delayed marriage (2 marks)
• Criticized for ignoring technological and agricultural progress (2 marks)
• Relevance to modern population policies and sustainability debates (2 marks)