Rostow's Stages of Growth describe five stages of economic development. Which sequence lists these stages in order?

• A. Traditional Society, Preconditions for Take-off, Take-off, Drive to Maturity, Age of High Mass Consumption
• B. Traditional Society, Take-off, Preconditions for Take-off, Drive to M maturity, Age of Mass Consumption
• C. Preconditions for Take-off, Traditional Society, Take-off, Drive to Maturity, Age of High Mass Consumption
• D. Traditional Society, Drive to Maturity, Take-off, Preconditions for Take-off, Age of High Mass Consumption

Answer: (A)

Rostow's model describes a linear path from a traditional, agriculture-based economy to a modern, high mass consumption society. The stages in order are: traditional society; the Preconditions for Take-off; Take-off; Drive to Maturity; Age of High Mass Consumption. The second stage marks the development of the economic and social foundations—infrastructure, institutions, and capital—that prepare the economy for sustained growth. The take-off stage is where growth becomes self-sustaining through rising investment and industrialization. In the drive to maturity, the economy diversifies, tech advances, and productivity spreads across sectors, raising living standards. Finally, the age of high mass consumption features a mature economy centered on services and consumer goods, with high standards of living.

This sequence hinges on preconditions preceding take-off and take-off preceding drive to maturity, so any ordering that places those stages out of that order would not fit Rostow's framework.