Malthusian Theory of Population Explained With Diagram and Criticisms

GP Sir
Posted by GP Sir 7 months Ago

Historical Background of Malthusian Theory of Population

Thomas Robert Malthus first proposed the Malthusian theory of population in his 1798 essay “An Essay on the Principle of Population.” Malthus was an English economist and cleric who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was deeply concerned about the poverty and suffering around him, believing that population growth was a key factor in these problems.

Malthus’s theory was based on the idea that population grows exponentially while food production grows arithmetically. In other words, the population would double every 25 years, while food production would increase much slower. According to Malthus, this imbalance would inevitably lead to a situation where there would not be enough food to feed everyone. The resulting famine and disease would reduce the population to a more sustainable level.

Malthus believed that the only way to avoid this fate was to limit population growth through moral restraint, such as celibacy or delayed marriage, or through positive checks, such as war, famine, and disease. He argued that these measures were necessary to prevent the population from exceeding the available food supply.

Malthusian Theory of Population: The Main Theme

The theme of the Malthusian theory of population is the idea that population growth will eventually outstrip the available resources, leading to poverty, famine, and suffering. According to the theory, population grows exponentially while food production grows arithmetically, which means that the population will eventually exceed the available food supply. This imbalance will lead to insufficient food to feed everyone, and the resulting famine and disease will reduce the population to a more sustainable level.

Malthus argued that limiting population growth through moral restraint or positive checks, such as war, famine, and disease, was the only way to avoid this fate. The theme of the Malthusian theory of population is, therefore, the relationship between population growth and the available resources and the potential consequences of this relationship for human welfare and survival.

Main Propositions and Assumptions of Malthusian Theory of Population

The Malthusian theory of population is based on several vital propositions and assumptions, including:

  1. Proposition of Population Growth: The population tends to grow at a geometric or exponential rate, doubling every 25 years.
  2. Proposition of Food Supply: Food production grows at an arithmetic rate, constantly increasing over time. Therefore, the increase in food production is insufficient to keep up with the population growth rate.
  3. Assumption of Limited Resources: There is a finite amount of resources available, including food, water, and land, that are necessary for human survival and well-being. As the population grows, competition for these resources becomes more intense.
  4. Positive Checks: Without measures to control population growth, positive checks such as famine, war, and disease will occur, reducing the population back to a sustainable level with the available resources.
  5. Preventative Checks: Preventative checks, such as moral restraint, delayed marriage, and contraception, can limit population growth and prevent the occurrence of positive checks.
  6. Assumption of Human Nature: Malthus assumed that humans have a natural tendency to reproduce, and that this tendency is not quickly curtailed. Therefore, he believed that population growth would continue until it reached a point where it was no longer sustainable.
  7. Assumption of Rationality: Malthus assumed that individuals are rational and self-interested and will act in their best interest. Therefore, he believed that measures to control population growth, such as moral restraint, would only be effective if individuals believed that it was in their best interest to do so.

Malthusian Theory of Population Explained

Population and Food Supply:

The Malthusian theory of population is based on the idea that population growth will eventually outstrip the available resources, particularly food supply. According to Malthus, population grows exponentially while food production grows arithmetically. This means the population will eventually exceed the available food supply, leading to famine, disease, and suffering.

Malthus argued that limiting population growth through moral restraint or positive checks, such as war, famine, and disease, was the only way to avoid this fate. He believed these checks were necessary to prevent the population from exceeding the available food supply.

Population Control:

Malthus believed that population control was necessary to prevent the population from outstripping the available resources. He argued that there were two types of population control: positive checks and preventative checks. Positive checks increase the death rate, such as war, famine, and disease. Malthus believed that these checks were inevitable and necessary to prevent overpopulation.

On the other hand, preventive checks decrease the birth rate, such as moral restraint, celibacy, and delayed marriage. Malthus believed these checks were preferable to positive checks, but he also acknowledged that they were challenging to implement on a large scale.

Positive or Natural Checks:

Positive or natural checks increase the death rate, such as war, famine, and disease. Malthus believed that these checks were inevitable and necessary to prevent overpopulation.

He argued that competition for food and other resources becomes intense when the population exceeds the available resources, leading to famine, disease, and death. Malthus believed these checks were necessary to keep the population in check and prevent it from exceeding the available resources.

Preventive Checks:

Preventive checks decrease the birth rate, such as moral restraint, celibacy, and delayed marriage. Malthus believed these checks were preferable to positive checks, but he also acknowledged that they were challenging to implement on a large scale. He argued that moral restraint, or the decision to limit family size through abstinence or contraception, was the most effective way to prevent overpopulation.

However, he also recognized that this approach was difficult to implement, particularly in societies where large families were valued, or access to contraception was limited. Delayed marriage and celibacy were also seen as effective ways to limit population growth, but Malthus recognized that they were unlikely to be embraced by large population segments.

Mathematical Interpretation of Malthusian Theory of Population

The Malthusian theory of population can be mathematically expressed using the following equation:

P = C * ert

Where,

P is the population,

C is the initial population,

r is the population growth rate, and

t is time.

According to the Malthusian theory, the population growth rate (r) is assumed to be constant over time, and is expressed as a percentage. The exponential function e^(rt) represents the growth rate of the population over time.

Malthus also proposed that food production increases at an arithmetic rate, which can be expressed mathematically as follows:

F = a + bt

Where,

F is the amount of food produced,

a is the initial amount produced,

b is the rate of increase in food production, and

t is time.

Malthus argued that the increase in food production (b) is lower than the population growth rate (r), leading to a food shortage and famine over time.

The Malthusian theory can also be expressed in the ratio of population to resources, known as the population-resource ratio. This ratio is expressed as follows:

PR = P / R

Where,

PR is the population-resource ratio,

P is the population, and

R is the resources available, such as food, water, and land.

According to the Malthusian theory, as the population grows, the population-resource ratio increases, which leads to competition for resources and, eventually, a decline in living standards.

The Malthusian Trap/ Malthusian Catastrophe

The Malthusian Trap is a concept in the Malthusian theory of population that describes a situation where population growth outstrips the available resources, leading to poverty, famine, and suffering. The Malthusian Trap is named after Thomas Malthus, who first proposed the theory in his 1798 essay “An Essay on the Principle of Population.”

According to the Malthusian Trap, as population grows, it places increasing pressure on the available resources, particularly food supply. As the population exceeds the available resources, competition for food and other resources intensifies, leading to famine, disease, and, ultimately, death. This reduces the population back to a sustainable level with the available resources.

Malthus argued that the only way to avoid the Malthusian Trap was to limit population growth through moral restraint or positive checks, such as war, famine, and disease. He believed these checks were necessary to prevent the population from exceeding the available resources and falling into the Malthusian Trap.

Diagrammatic Interpretation of Malthusian Theory of Population

The Malthusian theory can be illustrated graphically using population growth and food production (Resource) curves. The population growth curve is usually exponential, while the food production (Resource) curve is linear.

malthusian theory of population diagram

The population growth curve starts at a point representing the initial population level (C) and rises exponentially over time, with the rate of population growth (r) remaining constant. The exponential curve can be represented by the formula P = C * ert, where P is the population at time t.

The food production (Resource) curve starts at a point representing the initial level of food production (a) and rises linearly over time, with the rate of increase in food production (b) remaining constant. The linear curve can be represented by F = a + bt, where F is the food produced (Resource) at time t.

The Malthusian trap/ Catastrophe occurs when the population growth curve intersects with the food production curve. The population has outstripped the available food supply, leading to a food shortage and potential famine.

The graphical representation of the Malthusian theory highlights the relationship between population growth and food production. It shows that if the rate of population growth exceeds the increase in food production, a population-resource imbalance will occur, which could lead to a food shortage and famine.

Criticisms of Malthusian Theory of Population

The following are the main criticisms of Malthusian Theory of Population:

  1. Ignoring Technological Progress: One of the main criticisms of the Malthusian theory is that it ignores technological progress and innovation. Malthus assumed that food production would increase only at an arithmetic rate, but technological advances have allowed food production to grow faster than he predicted. Today, the world produces more food than ever, and famine is much less common than in Malthus’s time.
  2. Overemphasis on Population Control: Critics argue that the Malthusian theory places too much emphasis on population control and not enough on economic development and social welfare. They argue that poverty and famine are caused by unequal distribution of resources rather than by overpopulation.
  3. Historical Inaccuracy: Some historians have criticized the Malthusian theory for being historically inaccurate. They argue that population growth did not always lead to famine and poverty and that other factors, such as war, climate, and politics, significantly shaped human history.
  4. Lack of Empirical Evidence: Critics argue that the Malthusian theory lacks empirical evidence to support its claims. Malthus did not provide statistical evidence to support his projections, and historical experience has not always borne out his predictions.
  5. Cultural and Political Bias: Some critics argue that the Malthusian theory is biased against certain cultures and political systems. They argue that the theory is based on a Western, capitalist worldview that does not consider other cultures’ social and economic realities.
  6. Oversimplification of Complex Issues: Critics argue that the Malthusian theory oversimplifies complex issues such as population growth, food production, and poverty. They argue that these issues are interconnected and cannot be understood in isolation.
  7. Failure to Account for Environmental Factors: Critics argue that the Malthusian theory fails to account for the environmental factors that affect population growth and food production. They argue that climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity can significantly impact food production and population growth. The Malthusian theory does not adequately address these issues.

Applicability of Malthusian Theory of Population

Scholars disagree on whether the Malthusian theory is still relevant today. Others contend that the theory is out-of-date and no longer applicable in the contemporary world, while some claim it is still relevant. Here are some justifications for and against the Malthusian theory’s current applicability:

Arguments for Applicability:

  1. Population Growth: The world population continues to grow at geometrical ratio, which could lead to a strain on resources and potential famine.
  2. Resource Scarcity: Some resources, such as land, water, and energy, are becoming increasingly scarce due to overuse, pollution, and climate change.
  3. Income Inequality: Unequal distribution of resources and income can lead to poverty, exacerbating population growth and food insecurity.
  4. Environmental Degradation: Climate change, deforestation, and other environmental issues can negatively impact food production and resource availability.

Arguments against Applicability:

  1. Technological Advancements: Technological advancements have significantly increased food production and improved resource efficiency, which has enabled the world to support a larger population.
  2. Economic Development: Economic growth and development have lifted many countries out of poverty and increased access to resources, reducing the risk of famine.
  3. Demographic Shifts: Many countries are experiencing declining fertility rates, which could decrease population growth and lessen the strain on resources.
  4. Globalization: Global trade and interconnectedness have enabled countries to access resources and food worldwide, reducing the impact of local resource scarcity.