Which of the following statements best represents the critique of dependency theory by key theorists of modernization theory, such as Walt Rostow?

Dependency theory suggests that poorer countries are trapped in a cycle of poverty because they rely on wealthier nations, which control resources and trade. In contrast, modernization theory, as explained by theorists like Walt Rostow, argues that all countries can develop by following a linear path of economic growth, similar to how Western nations progressed. Rostow believed that with the right investments and changes, developing countries could move through stages of growth and achieve modernization without being dependent on others. For example, he suggested that countries could improve their economies by adopting industrial practices and technologies that helped Western nations prosper. This critique highlights the belief that dependency theory underestimates the potential for self-driven growth in developing countries.