📢 Too many exams? Don’t know which one suits you best? Book Your Free Expert 👉 call Now!


    Question

    Which stage in Rostow's Stages of Economic Growth is

    characterized by the expansion of modern technology across all sectors and the development of new, sophisticated industries like electronics and chemicals?
    A Take-off Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Drive to Maturity Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Age of High Mass Consumption Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D Pre-conditions for Take-off Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    • Stage 3 (Take-off): This is the "brief interval" (often 20–30 years) where the economy transforms. While it sees the birth of modern industries, they are usually limited to one or two primary "leading sectors" (like textiles or railroads).
    • Stage 4 (Drive to Maturity): This stage is defined by the diversification of the industrial base. Rostow describes this as the period when an economy demonstrates it has the technological and entrepreneurial skills to produce, not everything, but anything it chooses to produce. The "newest" developments of modern industries (such as heavy engineering, chemicals, and later, electronics) take root here, moving beyond the simple industrialization of the Take-off stage.
    • Stage 5 (Age of High Mass Consumption): This stage shifts focus from how to produce to how to consume, prioritizing durable consumer goods (like cars and appliances) and services.
    • Stage 2 (Pre-conditions for Take-off): This is a preparatory stage involving agricultural shifts and the buildup of social overhead capital (infrastructure), but not the widespread development of modern industry itself.
    Key Feature Defining the Drive to Maturity: The defining feature is technological diversification . During this stage, the economy reinvests 10–20% of the national income, allowing modern technology to permeate all areas of economic activity. The industry shifts from "necessity" production to more complex, high-value manufacturing.

    Practice Next
    ask-question