Final answer:
Developmentalism is an overarching term that primarily describes the role of state policies in economic development and societal modernization, including the transformative changes in political, economic, and social structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Developmentalism?
Developmentalism refers to a set of economic and political ideas focused on the role of the state in fostering economic development and modernization of a society. The concept involves transformative changes in the entire fabric of a society, including its political, economic, and social institutions. This notion can be partially derived from the works of Robert Heilbroner and others who see these shifts as critical to the process of development. Developmentalism often overlaps with modernization theory and entails the belief that societies advance through certain stages of growth and change. Scholars like Adam Przeworski and Fernando Limongi have emphasized the strong impact of economic development on a society's ability to sustain democratic regimes, once certain thresholds of growth have been reached.
In a broader sense, the term can loosely include theories from developmental psychology and sociocultural theories of development, which describe the progression of individuals within a society, not just the structural and economic progression of the society itself. This comprehensive view exemplifies the significance of changes at the individual level that collectively contribute to the development of a society.
It's important to understand that the concept of Developmentalism is not limited to a single facet of a society or individual. It encompasses various theories and viewpoints focusing on the evolution and improvements over time, be it regarding economies, moral standards, social behaviors, or cognitive and language skills. Developmentalism essentially underscores the interconnected nature of economic and political development, and personal growth within a cultural and societal context.