Malthus and Population. Thomas Malthus Lived in England 1766 – 1834.
Malthus' theory of population growth
description
Transcript of Malthus' theory of population growth
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN FOOD PRODUCTION
AND POPULATION GROWTH?
Share of Global Population per Continent,
1700-2000
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1700
1740
1780
1820
1860
1900
1940
1980
Oceania
Asia
Middle East
CIS
Africa
Europe
Latin America
North America
Malthus’ Theory of Population Growth
In 1798 Thomas Malthus published
his views on the effect of population
on food supply. His theory has two
basic principles:
Population grows at a geometric rate
i.e. 1, 2, 4, 16, 32, etc.
Food production increases at an
arithmetic rate i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
Thomas Malthus
Malthus (cont.)
The consequence of these two principles is that eventually, population will exceed the capacity of agriculture to support the new population numbers. Population would rise until a limit to growth was reached. Further growth would be limited when:
• Negative checks - postponement of marriage (lowering of fertility rate), abstinence, increased cost of food etc.
• Positive checks - famine, war, disease, would increase the death rate.
Malthusian ideas are often supported by Western governments because it highlights the problem of too many mouths to feed, rather than the uneven distribution of resources.
Do you agree with Malthus’ observations?
Instructions
Is the Malthusian Theory relevant today?
Refer to your handouts.
Use Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning to build your
argument.
As you present your arguments, the listening groups
will use the Ladder of Feedback to give your
response.