The coincidence of dependency theory argues that the economic relations between developed and developing countries have led to the overutilization of natural resources, of which the surplus can flow from the developing countries to the developed countries, creating a wider gap between them (Ntara 2021). The wider gap between developing and developed countries can deepen sequential inequality and overpower because the developing countries would receive financial assistance packages, which will structure weak governance, less economic growth and insufficient financial management institutions. Dependency theory gives the impression realistic but has some opposite challenges to developing countries. Proverbs 22:16 states that whoever oppresses the poor to increase his wealth, or give to the rich, will come to poverty. This verse has been interpreted well in terms of dependency theory.

Dependency theory seems logical in social relationships, but it appears to be overweighted when it comes to the natural resources of developing countries from the development perspective. Conversely, the balance of power between developing and developed countries would be unequal regarding economic prosperity. The developed countries would have the upper hand in economic planning since developing countries cannot understand the concept of the dependency theory. Or, even if they understand, they will become additive to handing out materials and not think about the impacts of being dependent on someone sometimes has causes and effects in terms of politics and finance. Valencia, S. A. (2017) states it as “a rule of fictitious capital,” a situation in which developed countries first expect to profit over developing countries through the shadows of aid. The dependency theory will not motivate creating productive jobs or opening up opportunities to the local communities rather than continuing to encourage the weak government systems in developing countries.

In other words, the theory does have a low positive and a high negative for developing countries. Ironically, the developing countries will continue to demand assistance from the developed countries regarding financial loans and other economic relief that can put them into colossal debt. The dependency theory would therefore increase developing countries to have less infrastructure and flawed government institutions. It can also motivate tribal warlords and Clan sectarianism, resulting in chronic conflict and rotten systems of government that do not obey the rule of laws and regulations. To some degree, the dependency theory would not expedite the development agenda. Munro, A. (2023) stressed that typically, developing countries provide cheap labor and natural resources to the world market, where these natural resources are purchased for low prices by developed countries, transported for finished goods and resold these finished goods back to developing countries in high price, depleting their capital they save for their developments. Thus, it holds back developing countries from freedom of thinking on how to set their development path.

Therefore, it is against the developing countries to be reduced into dependency. Proverbs 22:16 states that whoever always pretends he is helping, and the agenda was intended for something else should become poverty. From the Biblical perspective or traditional beliefs, helping people experiencing poverty does not have the material exchange. When Jesus died on the cross, he did not get the materials exchanged from all humanity. However, Jesus only died to liberate human beings from the servitude of evil. Ntara, C. (2021) aptly explains how developed countries continue to get richer at the expense of developing countries natural resources through cheap labor and the low price of their natural resources. In addition, as stated in the paragraph, the Biblical verse of Proverbs 22:16 has challenged the dependency theory. The theological perspective refutes the dependency theory on Proverbs 22:16. I hope it would make sense in terms of local communities’ opportunities for economic development.

References
Ntara, C. (2021). What is the dependency theory in sociology? Study.com
https://study.com/learn/lesson/dependency-theory-in-sociology-overview-examples.htm
Holy Bible: New international version. NIV. (2011). Zondervan. (Originally published 1973).
Valencia, S. A. (2017). Sub-imperialism revisited: Dependency theory in the thought of Munro Marini. Publisher Brill. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/cochristuniv-ebooks/
Munro, A. (2023). Dependency theory international relations. Publisher Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/dependency-theory