Global Politics: Unit 3 Development: Modernisation Theory

This inquiry-based, structured, and fully scaffolded lesson introduces students to Modernisation Theory, with a clear focus on Rostow’s five stages of growth and the contested meanings of development. Fully updated for 2025 and aligned with the new IBDP Global Politics syllabus, the lesson breaks down complex theoretical material into accessible parts, making it suitable for all learners, including those for whom English is an additional language.

Through a sequence of tasks, students identify features of modernisation, apply contemporary case studies (Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India, South Korea), and critically engage with key criticisms, including ethnocentrism, external dependency, and ecological limits. The lesson builds step by step towards evaluative judgement, ensuring that students practise explanation, application, and critique.

The resource is ready to use immediately and can be easily adapted for Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, or traditional paper-based delivery.

Key inclusions:

Fully aligned with the new IBDP Global Politics syllabus (first assessment 2026)

Introduction to Rostow’s five stages with up-to-date examples

Structured worksheet tasks with bridging texts for accessible progression

Critical evaluation of modernisation theory, including sustainability challenges

Research-based task requiring real-world post-2010 examples

Step-by-step flow: definitions → measurement → stages → criticisms → sustainability → evaluation