What statement best describes how modernization theory is used to interpret PKP history?

• A. It rejects external influences entirely.
• B. It emphasizes gradual economic and social changes as drivers of development.
• C. It asserts that only cultural factors matter.
• D. It focuses solely on political leadership.

Answer: (B)

Modernization theory treats development as the result of gradual internal transformations in a society—economy expanding, industries growing, education and urban life spreading, and social norms and institutions reshaping over time. When applied to PKP history, this lens looks for slow, cumulative changes in economic structure and social life as the main drivers of progress, rather than sudden upheavals or a single factor like culture or leadership. It recognizes that as economies industrialize and people gain education and new civic expectations, political and cultural institutions adapt in tandem.

So the best statement is that development is driven by gradual economic and social changes. External influences, culture, or leadership aren’t seen as the sole or exclusive forces in this view, and they don’t alone explain modernization.