The Political Implications of Dependency Theory

Abstract

The widely diverse body of theory that has come to be known as dependency theory has had a significant impact on the anti-imperialist movement and revolutionary forces particularly in Latin America. It enjoys a fairly high degree of prestige and influence not only among professional economists and social scientists- its principal advocates- but within the revolutionary movements themselves. Whether intentionally or unconscious-ly, the proponents of dependency theory are actually responsible for advancing two strategic political lines for the movement.’ The first and most influential calls for an independent road to capitalist development (and/or gradual transition to socialism) as a means of overcom-ing the historical legacy of underdevelopment: i.e., independence from foreign domination. This is ultimately a reformist policy that readily appeals to the apologists for neocolonialism and only leads to the proliferation of poverty and exploitation. In effect, this line underestimates the possibility and necessity of socialist revolution as a distinct, advanced stage in the struggles