Rostow's Stages of Economic Growth is a theory proposed by economist Walt Rostow in the 1960s. It outlines five stages that countries typically go through as they develop economically. These stages are: traditional society, preconditions for take-off, take-off, drive to maturity, and age of high mass consumption. Each stage represents a different level of economic activity and social development. The model suggests that countries must progress through these stages in a linear fashion. For example, a traditional society relies on agriculture, while the age of high mass consumption features a diverse economy with high levels of consumer goods and services. This framework helps to understand the economic development process across different nations.