Reviews
"Often in an essay collection the parts fail to hang together. But in this case, they collectively support an overall point: the way modernization theory worked so well in the abstract and so miserably in practice. Part I describes the intellectual satisfactions and appeal of the theory. Part II describes how effortlessly modernization was popularized. The final section shows how these loose conceptions worked in specific circumstances."--Nick Cullather, Indiana University"Original, stimulating, and quite helpful in enlarging our understanding of a recent period of international history. The essays make clear beyond a doubt that during the Cold War era, modernization was an important element of American foreign relations and international history that scholars no longer can afford to ignore."--Frank Ninkovich, St. John's University"Cold War theories of 'modernization' may have claimed universality, but these admirable essays show why historians need to direct their attention to specific localities and contexts. This book offers a remarkably rich exploration of the meanings of modernity and development in diverse areas of the world during the Cold War."--Emily S. Rosenberg, Macalester College"Staging Growth is an ambitious attempt by a talented group of scholars to analyze the impact of modernization theory on the Cold War. . . . (The book) is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to examine the broader dimensions of the Cold War. The essays are intriguing, and they invite readers to delve deeper into this important topic.""--Project MUSE, Cold War theories of 'modernization' may have claimed universality, but these admirable essays show why historians need to direct their attention to specific localities and contexts. This book offers a remarkably rich exploration of the meanings of modernity and development in diverse areas of the world during the Cold War., "Often in an essay collection the parts fail to hang together. But in this case, they collectively support an overall point: the way modernization theory worked so well in the abstract and so miserably in practice. Part I describes the intellectual satisfactions and appeal of the theory. Part II describes how effortlessly modernization was popularized. The final section shows how these loose conceptions worked in specific circumstances."--Nick Cullather, Indiana University "Original, stimulating, and quite helpful in enlarging our understanding of a recent period of international history. The essays make clear beyond a doubt that during the Cold War era, modernization was an important element of American foreign relations and international history that scholars no longer can afford to ignore."--Frank Ninkovich, St. John's University "Cold War theories of 'modernization' may have claimed universality, but these admirable essays show why historians need to direct their attention to specific localities and contexts. This book offers a remarkably rich exploration of the meanings of modernity and development in diverse areas of the world during the Cold War."--Emily S. Rosenberg, Macalester College " Staging Growth is an ambitious attempt by a talented group of scholars to analyze the impact of modernization theory on the Cold War. . . . (The book) is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to examine the broader dimensions of the Cold War. The essays are intriguing, and they invite readers to delve deeper into this important topic.""-- Project MUSE, "Often in an essay collection the parts fail to hang together. But in this case, they collectively support an overall point: the way modernization theory worked so well in the abstract and so miserably in practice. Part I describes the intellectual satisfactions and appeal of the theory. Part II describes how effortlessly modernization was popularized. The final section shows how these loose conceptions worked in specific circumstances."--Nick Cullather, Indiana University "Original, stimulating, and quite helpful in enlarging our understanding of a recent period of international history. The essays make clear beyond a doubt that during the Cold War era, modernization was an important element of American foreign relations and international history that scholars no longer can afford to ignore."--Frank Ninkovich, St. John's University "Cold War theories of 'modernization' may have claimed universality, but these admirable essays show why historians need to direct their attention to specific localities and contexts. This book offers a remarkably rich exploration of the meanings of modernity and development in diverse areas of the world during the Cold War."--Emily S. Rosenberg, Macalester College "Staging Growth is an ambitious attempt by a talented group of scholars to analyze the impact of modernization theory on the Cold War. . . . (The book) is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to examine the broader dimensions of the Cold War. The essays are intriguing, and they invite readers to delve deeper into this important topic.""--Project MUSE, Staging Growth is an ambitious attempt by a talented group of scholars to analyze the impact of modernization theory on the Cold War.... (The book) is an excellent starting point for anyone wishing to examine the broader dimensions of the Cold War. The essays are intriguing, and they invite readers to delve deeper into this important topic."
