How can you counter the argument that Rostow's model of development is irrelevant to third world countries?

How can you counter the argument that Rostow's model of development is irrelevant to third world countries?
well i think this model really addresses growth and not development. you need to ask yourself whether economic growth equates development. the third world in its developing state may not necessarily develop in the linear manner as suggested in this model. further, many of the third world countries are dependent on the first world so any form of economic growth usually does not translate into development as most of the money leaves these countries to support the economies of the north.