population perspectives Flashcards
What is the main idea behind Malthusian perspectives on population growth?
Malthusian perspectives argue that population increases exponentially while resources only increase linearly, leading to a population decline due to insufficient resources like food.
What did Malthus (1798) predict about population growth?
Malthus predicted that the population would grow exponentially, but resources would grow linearly, leading to a scarcity of resources and a population decline due to positive and preventative checks.
What are positive checks in Malthus’ theory?
Positive checks refer to disasters such as disease, war, and famine, which significantly reduce the population when it becomes too large.
What are preventative checks in Malthus’ theory?
Preventative checks are cultural choices, like deciding not to have children, to avoid the inability to support them due to limited resources.
What is the “Limits to Growth” theory by the Club of Rome (1972)?
The “Limits to Growth” theory suggests that there is a limit to the amount of people, pollution, services, food production, etc., and eventually this will lead to an increase in death rates as resources become insufficient.
What do non-Malthusian perspectives on population growth argue?
Non-Malthusian perspectives argue that the population can be sustained and will continue to find new ways to support itself, such as through technological advancements and new systems.
What is Boserup’s theory on population growth?
Boserup’s theory suggests that no matter how large the population grows, humans will always find new ways to sustain food supplies, such as through new technologies and agricultural systems.
How does Simon’s theory support Boserup’s ideas?
Simon supports Boserup’s theory by arguing that humans are “the ultimate resource,” and despite finite resources, humans will find new ways to sustain resources, such as through innovation, recycling, and alternative energy sources.
