lesson 18- perspectives to population growth

Question 1

Name 3 theories on population growth

Answer 1

1. The malthusian theory
2. Esther boserup’s theory
3. Julian Simon’s theory

Question 2

Overview of the malthusian perspective

Answer 2

• population grows exponentially, food supply grows arithmetically
• when population growth reaches a ceiling- food becomes limited and numbers cannot grow any further
• to avoid extreme poverty we should do checks to limit pop growth

Question 3

Evidence of the malthusian theory

Answer 3

• preventative checks are factors which decrease the birth rate- families make rational decisions to marry later/not having children
• positive checks increase the death rate- pop growth stops, famine disease or war increases

Question 4

Overview of Esther Boserup’s theory

Answer 4

• “necessity is the mother of invention”
• as population increases and food decreases we will find new ways to survive

Question 5

Evidence of Esther boserups theory

Answer 5

• modern farming techniques- agrochemicals, irrigation, genetic modification
• as more countries adopt these techniques the theory of boserup will be tested

Question 6

overview of julian simon’s theory

Answer 6

• the human brain is the ultimate resource
• 1981 “The ultimate resource”- the supply of natural resources is infinite
• supports boserup- (human invention)
• natural resources decrease, prices increase-> humans find new method

Question 7

Evidence of Julian Simon’s theory

Answer 7

• energy prices have increased, people have looked for new methods- e.g. octopus energy= 100% renewable