Which of the following key theorists is most closely associated with Modernization Theory, particularly in relation to the idea of linear social progress from traditional to modern societies?

The theorist most closely associated with Modernization Theory is Walt Rostow. He proposed that societies progress through a series of stages, moving from traditional to modern ways of life. Rostow believed that economic development is a key part of this transition, with societies needing to go through specific steps to achieve modernization. For example, he suggested that a country like South Korea moved from a primarily agricultural society to an industrialized one by following these stages. This idea emphasizes that all societies can develop in a similar way, reflecting a linear path of progress.