It is true that Rostow’s theory of modernization failed to account for the environmentalist’s paradox because the environmentalists did not follow all the steps that this theory postulates. The theory requires commitment and seriousness for one to achieve the required status. However, due to the tedious nature of the requirements of this theory, it became impractical for the environmentalists to follow them, which resulted in their inability to meet the required status.
The first step of Rostow's theory is the traditional society, which is characterized by primitivity. At this stage, communities do not know what others are doing in the outside world. The second step is the preconditions for take-off. At this stage, nations start realizing that they should move at the same pace as others. The countries start realizing that they should lay strategies that will make them move. Once they lay these strategies, they are ready for the third stage, which is take-off, maturity. At this age, all systems that are supposed to support industrialization or development are working in a coordinated manner. The political class supports these systems, and progress is anchored in the society. The fourth and last step is the age of high mass consumption. At this step, there is high productivity and exportation of produced goods to underdeveloped countries. The economy is thriving, and investments are doing fine.
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Environmentalists’ paradox changes my assessment of Rostow’s theory of modernization, especially the fact that we should become societies of high mass consumption since environmental conservation measures become a problem. High consumption leads to mass accumulation of environmental degradation activities, which cause havoc to the environment. The kinds of evidence that can be drawn from the text include the fact that many industries need to be constructed to produce goods that will be consumed. Another indication is the technological wastes that should be put in place to support the industrial growth of nations.
