André Gunder Frank (Leaving Cert Politics and Society): Revision Notes
André Gunder Frank
André Gunder Frank (1929-2005) was a German left-wing economist and political activist who significantly influenced development studies and international relations theory. He is most famous for developing dependency theory, which challenged traditional ideas about how countries develop economically.
Frank's work fundamentally transformed how scholars understand global economic relationships, moving away from traditional modernisation theories to examine how historical exploitation shapes contemporary inequality between nations.
Core theory: dependency theory
Frank's main contribution was creating what he called the development of underdevelopment or dependency theory. This theory fundamentally challenged how we understand global economic relationships.
The central argument
Frank argued that in our interconnected, globalised world, some countries are winners whilst others are losers. According to dependency theory, people in less-developed countries should not be blamed for their economic problems. Instead, he suggested that Western nations deliberately failed to help these countries develop.
Key Insight: Frank rejected the idea that underdeveloped countries simply lacked the right conditions for growth. Instead, he argued that their underdevelopment was actively created and maintained by developed nations through exploitative relationships.
Frank identified two types of nations:
- Core nations (such as the USA and UK) - the elite metropolis
- Peripheral nations - exploited by keeping them as satellites in a state of dependency and underdevelopment
How exploitation works
Developed nations become wealthy by exploiting the poorest nations and using them as sources of cheap raw materials and labour. Frank claimed this exploitative relationship was evident throughout history through:
Historical patterns of exploitation include:
- The practice of slavery
- Western colonisation of other parts of the world
- Twentieth-century domination of international trade through Western countries
- The emergence of large multinational companies
- Less-developed countries' reliance on Western aid
Key quote
Frank famously stated: "Underdevelopment is not due to the survival of archaic institutions and the existence of capital shortage in regions that have remained isolated from the stream of world history. On the contrary, underdevelopment was and still is generated by the very same historical process which also generated economic development: the development of capitalism itself."
Historical perspective
Frank's ideas originated from his study of history, which he considered essential for understanding development issues. He criticised modernisation theory (such as Walt Rostow's stages of development) because it failed to account for how the capitalist system was a cause of underdevelopment, not a solution.
Rejecting the 'catch-up' model
Frank challenged the assumption that underdeveloped countries were simply 'behind' the developed world and needed to catch up. He argued this view was ignorant because it failed to account for the impact of relationships between developed countries and the nations they had colonised throughout history.
The traditional 'catch-up' model assumes all countries follow the same linear path to development, ignoring how colonial and neo-colonial relationships create structural barriers to growth in peripheral nations.
The politics of diffusion
Frank rejected the idea that developed centres of capitalism would somehow rescue underdeveloped countries by 'diffusing' their capitalist features. He argued that the only way for underdeveloped countries to experience economic development was to become independent of what he called the politics of diffusion.
The metropolis-satellite model
Frank based his ideas on studying the effects of capitalism throughout history. He used the example of inequality and underdevelopment in Latin America during the 1960s.
How the model works
Frank examined cities that emerged during the 16th century conquest by Spain and Portugal. While these cities might appear successful examples of capitalism in the underdeveloped world, Frank claimed their real function was to economically dominate indigenous populations in surrounding rural communities.
Worked Example: Latin American Colonial Cities
Step 1: Spanish and Portuguese conquerors establish cities in Latin America during the 16th century
Step 2: These cities act as metropoles that economically dominate surrounding satellites (rural indigenous communities)
Step 3: The same cities function as satellites to European colonising countries, creating a chain of exploitation
Result: Resources flow from satellites → metropoles → European powers, demonstrating satellite underdevelopment at multiple levels
The city acted as the metropole that dominated the satellites around it. Similarly, these metropoles were themselves satellites to European colonising countries. This created a chain of exploitation where resources flowed from satellites to metropoles.
Historical evidence
Frank's study of countries like Chile and Brazil supported his theory, showing evidence of satellite underdevelopment in their relationships with Europe and within their domestic economies.
Frank's three major claims
Based on his historical research, Frank made three significant claims:
Frank's Three Major Claims:
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Major industrialised nations are not satellites to any other power, but cities and countries in the underdeveloped world were limited by their satellite status under developed world domination.
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Satellites experienced greatest economic development when ties to the metropolis were weakest. Industrial development was strongest during the two World Wars and the Great Depression when ties to the West were weakest.
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The most underdeveloped regions in the twentieth century had the closest historical ties to the developed world. Examples include the West Indies (which exported sugar) and parts of Latin America (which mined and exported silver) but were abandoned when business declined.
Criticism of dependency theory
Critics argue that dependency theory has several weaknesses:
Major Criticisms of Dependency Theory:
- Exaggerated dependency - the level of dependency may be overstated
- Too economically focused - doesn't consider political, social, cultural and environmental factors that might contribute to underdevelopment
- Overly pessimistic and unrealistic - critics say suggestions that developing countries can disconnect from capitalism are impossible in a globalised economy
- Continued debate - Frank's extensive writings ensure his ideas remain influential and contested
Related thinkers
Frank's work connects to other important theorists:
- Karl Marx - influenced Frank's understanding of capitalism and exploitation
- Walt Rostow - Frank specifically criticised Rostow's modernisation theory
Exam tips
When discussing Frank in exam answers:
Essential Elements for Exam Success:
- Always explain the core-periphery relationship
- Use specific examples like Latin America or colonial relationships
- Include the key quote about underdevelopment
- Consider both strengths and criticisms of dependency theory
- Link to broader themes about globalisation and international relations
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Dependency theory argues that underdevelopment is caused by exploitation, not internal failures
- Core nations (rich countries) exploit peripheral nations (poor countries) for resources and labour
- The metropolis-satellite model shows how exploitation occurs at multiple levels
- Underdevelopment is created by the same process that creates development - capitalism itself
- Critics argue the theory is too economically focused and overly pessimistic