theories of population growth

Question 1

explain Malthus’ theory

Answer 1

• in the absence of checks: population will grow at a geometric rate while farming increases at an arithmetic rate
• pop. will exceed food production
• pessimistic
• when pop. reaches the carrying capacity: preventative checks (gov induced) or positive checks (war, famine etc)

Question 2

explain Boserup’s theory

Answer 2

• with an increase in population, an increase in technology will occur
• possibility of trade and importing goods and services enabling further expansion
• e.g Green Revolution: introduced GM crops and fertilisers and pesticides

Question 3

explain the Club of Rome’s theory

Answer 3

• ‘limits to growth’ but that there is time to alter growth trends to establish a sustainable future
• 5 variables will increase exponentially: population, industrialisation, pollution, food production, resource depletion
• neo-malthusian

Question 4

explain Simon’s theory

Answer 4

• optimistic in outlook
• despite pop. growth, humans are better off
• quality and standard of living has improved, resources less scarce
• e.g air in rich countries is safer to breathe, water cleanliness improving, resources have grown alongside population
• 75% reduction of people living below poverty line