Malthusianism
Malthusianism (pronunciation: mal-thoo-zee-uh-niz-uhm) is a theory in demography that suggests population growth will outpace the growth of food production, leading to catastrophic results such as famine and disease. The term is derived from the name of the British scholar Thomas Robert Malthus, who first proposed the theory in 1798.
Etymology
The term "Malthusianism" is derived from the name of Thomas Robert Malthus, an English scholar and cleric. Malthus wrote "An Essay on the Principle of Population" in 1798, in which he proposed that population growth would eventually outpace food production, leading to catastrophic results.
Theory
Malthusianism posits that unchecked population growth is exponential (i.e., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.) while the growth of food production is arithmetic (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.). As a result, if left unchecked, population growth would lead to famine and disease. This is often referred to as a Malthusian catastrophe.
Criticism
Critics of Malthusianism argue that technological advancements and other factors can increase food production and decrease population growth rates, thereby preventing a Malthusian catastrophe. These critics often point to the Green Revolution and advancements in birth control as evidence against Malthusianism.
Related Terms
- Malthusian catastrophe: A situation where population growth outpaces agricultural production, leading to famine, disease, and other disasters.
- Demography: The statistical study of populations, especially human beings.
- Green Revolution: A period of increased agricultural productivity in the mid-20th century.
- Birth control: The practice of preventing unwanted pregnancies, often through the use of contraceptives.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Malthusianism
- Wikipedia's article - Malthusianism
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