malthusian theory (AOS_1)

Question 1

intro to malthusian

Answer 1

• Malthus’ ‘Essay on the principle of population’, 1798
  
  • World’s population would grow exponentially and geometrically, and food production would increase arithmetically over the same period
  • Population growth would eventually outstrip the resources needed to support the population

Question 2

malthus’ solutions

Answer 2

• Couples should practice abstinence, delay marriage and sex until they could afford to raise children
  
  • Marriage between couple of extreme poverty or with ‘social defects’ should be restricted
  • A population unable to feed itself would be subject to starvation, disease and/or war that would help reduce the size of a population to more sustainable levels

Question 3

was malthus correct?

Answer 3

• World population has increased but there have been major increases in food production (1.8% growth in population every year)
  
  • Fertility rates have fallen (1970: 4.7 to 2015: 2.41)

Question 4

neo-malthusians

Answer 4

○ Ongoing evidence that population will eventually outstrip resources (e.g. Sub-Saharan Africa)
○ Neo-Malthusians support contraception and abortion whilst Malthus’ supported self-control
○ Neo-Malthusians have extended original arguments to:
§ Inevitable environmental degradation and resources overuse
§ The dwindling oil reserves
§ Pressure on farming land
§ Loss of farming land due to overuse and urbanisation
§ Overfishing of oceans