What measures must a 3rd world country undertake in order to modernize?

Answer 1

I can't agree with Einstein up there because religion is huge in the U.S.

They have to first get rid of the corruption and find a leader who is willing to become democratic. Once that happens, they can get aid from industrialized nations, allowing them to industrialize and build an economy.

Answer 2

Modernizing is what happens to a place that has enough spare time and money to think about what a person of means, or many people with more than they need, would really like to show off or become more efficient at by purchasing the advanced item.
What would happen to any small major like Lima Peru if you went in and put up Street Lights at all the major intersections for example?
First, street lights depend for their effectiveness on technicians to keep the system functioning. Also, lights don't actually stop anyone unless you have police to punish the offenders.
So the moral of the story is that modernizing has to be carefully managed so that it works in the usually pattern of life you are trying to improve but makes life faster or safer and so on without bring the way of life to a halt or pushing it into chaos.

Answer 3

Abandon religion. It's the only way.