The great acceleration: industrialism and Modernity

Question 1

Two loops that explain process of development

Answer 1

1) Human population (growth)
2) Productive capital stock

Question 2

Population loop

Answer 2

Question 3

Productive capital stock loop

Answer 3

Question 4

Two theories (models) of an agricultural revolution

Answer 4

• Malthus
• Boseropt

Question 5

Malthus’ theory on agricultural revolution

Answer 5

Biological reproduction leads to exponential growth until
overshoot and collapse cause population decline.

The available land and its carrying capacity is the limiting factor.

Question 6

Boserup’s theory on agricultural revolution

Answer 6

Population growth is driven by biological reproduction in
combination with many other factors (climate, diseases etc.) and people
respond by adapting to the limiting factors e.g. by

• organization,
• agritechnology
• and/or outmigration.

Question 7

Malthus’ model

Answer 7

Question 8

Boserup’s model

Answer 8

Question 9

The availability of […] over […] was a large factor in […]

Answer 9

Fossil fuels

Biomass

Economic growth

Question 10

The challenge of the current energy transition

Answer 10

Replace the cheap stuff (fossil fuels) with renewables.

Question 11

mportant changes in the social-political system since 1700 CE:

Answer 11

• Increasing role of the state : revenues and expenditures (and debts) – the welfare state
• Increasing role of market as allocation mechanism
• Rise of science and science - based technology

Question 12

Production + oversupply loop

Answer 12