Abstract
In recent years the political economy of the world-system approach to macrostructural change has asserted itself as a dominant paradigm in the sociology of development. Increasingly, comparative urban researchers have pointed to the linkages between the growth of Third World cities and the role these places play in the changing international system. This article begins by summarizing the major elements of this perspective on “dependent urbanization.” Then the urban experiences of the less-developed nations of East Asia are interpreted using this approach. This analysis leads into a discussion that centers on the main objective of the article, which is to tie the dependency/world-system perspective to policy-making and planning. How can this research contribute to debates about practical problems and suggest realistic, implementable solutions? The article concludes with some general comments about the relationship between theoretical analysis, planning, and action directed at bringing about social change.
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An earlier version of this paper was presented at a session entitled “Dependency Theory and the Problem of the Third World” at the annual meeting of the Southern Sociological Society, April, 1985. The author wishes to express special thanks to Amos Hawley, Roland Fuchs, the participants at an East-West Population Institute 1984 summer seminar on “Urbanization, Urban Policies, and Development Planning,” and the Population Research and Policy Review editorial board for encouragement and constructive criticism on earlier drafts.
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Smith, D.A. International dependence and urbanization in East Asia: Implications for planning. Popul Res Policy Rev 4, 203–233 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00146655
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00146655