Search results

The article deals with current historiography of the research program of modernization in Western – mostly US – academic literature. The article stresses the importance of the theory's reputation for its success or failure. The paper traces the origins of the critique of the discourse of modernization. The interrelation between academic scholarship and ideological partisanship is being examined. It is argued that ideology is an integral part of academic discourse, so the task of academics is not to get rid of ideology but to control it and keep within reasonable boundaries. The topicality of the issue raised in the article is determined by the hegemony of neo-liberal thinking which is a descendant of modernization theory with its belief in the exemplar nature of the Western experience. The article juxtaposes two mutually exclusive approaches to modernization theory, that of E.Tiryakian and I. Wallerstein. While the former is advocating the worthiness of modernization theory on grounds of its intellectual prowess, the latter is claiming that the idea of modernization was ideology, not a theory and as such was stillborn. Thus, they arrive at mutually opposite conclusions – the revival of modernization theory versus its burial. The article examines the vast literature on the origins, developmental history and political connections of modernization theory. The involvement of the founders of the modernization theory into the policy making towards the Third World is discussed. The role of modernization theory in buttressing the US policy during Vietnam War is revealed.It is argued that reputation of the scientific theory is critical to its reception and survival. The modernization theory today in Western nations is faced with radical left rejection, liberal critique and uncritical apology. At the same time there is a dangerous trend in Ukraine when the modernization theory is being perceived and (ab)used in a ritualistic manner. This is posture towards modernization research program should be combated by means of restoring value of rational discourse and selective appropriation of the legacy of the idea of modernization. ; Стаття розглядає сучасну історіографію дослідницької програми модернізації у закордонній - переважно американській – суспільствознавчій літературі. Стаття простежує походження критики дискурсу модернізації, визначає взаємовідношення між науковою теорією і партійною ідеологією в рамках дослідницької програми модернізації. Стаття вибудовує типологію підходів до теорії модернізації: ліворадикальний заперечення, ліберальну критику і некритичну апологію, а також пропонує визначити впливову тенденцію сприйняття теорії модернізації в Україну як рітуалізований культ.