Thomas Malthus

Question 1

What was Godwin’s Utopia?

Answer 1

William Godwin’s 1793 book, ‘Political Justice’, promised a distant utopic future wherein complete equality, peace and prosperity were maintained and an anarchic communist system flourished. Malthus was responding to Godwin’s belief in the inherent potential for human improvement

Question 2

What is the Malthusian Trap?

Answer 2

Land, unlike people, cannot be multiplied. Population grows geometrically whereas food production only increases arithmetically. Thus, the population will inevitably outstrip the growth of resources.

Question 3

What did Malthus propose as the solutions to population excess?

Answer 3

Preventative Checks: Reduced birth rate through birth control, “moral restraint” (celibacy) and postponement of marriage.

Positive Checks: Increase mortality rates, disease, plague, war (Napoleon) and famine.

Question 4

How does industrialisation impact population growth?

Answer 4

The birth rate is reduced substantially through industrialisation, marriage occurs later (moral restraint), women have joined the workforce and competitive pleasures, and cost of living have reduced birth rates in more developed states.

Question 5

What did Malthus’ theory fail to foresee?

Answer 5

Malthus did not see the future potential for increased crop yields and technology advancements that could support the growth of resources.

Question 6

A Key Quote Summarising His Population Theory

Answer 6

“Assuming then, my postulata as granted, I say, that the power of population is indefinitely greater than the power in the earth to produce subsistence for man.”