A Species Out of Control? Population Trends and the Malthus’ Theory of Population

World Population

Malthus’ Law of Population

Historical Backdrop l French enlightenment l Marquis Condorcet: l had an unbounded faith in the progress of science l believed in a natural order of human progress l William Godwin: l problems of the working class result from unjust social institutions l Reason and education are the solutions to social problems

l Industrial Revolution l French Revolution l Speenhamland law of 1795 (Poor law reform act) which guaranteed a minimum income based on the price of wheat

An Essay on the Principle of Population l Published anonymously in 1798 l purpose: l to understand the causes of the increases poverty in the last decade of the 18th century l to refute the optimism of Condorecet and Godwin l Presented the law of population as a law of nature

Assumptions l Food increases at an arithmetic rate: 2, 4, 6, 8, …owing to the limited availability of land l Population increases at a geometric rate: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, … owing to the passion between the sexes

Population Depends on Two Types of Checks l Preventive checks: l keep down the birth rate l vice and moral restraint l Positive checks: l keep up the death rate l disease, famine, war, pestilence, etc

Implications? l Who does Malthus imply is responsible for poverty: society or the individual? l What is Malthus’ position on the Poor Laws? l Should society help the poor? Why or Why not? l Do you agree with Malthus? l How is Malthus’ theory related to the environmental movement? l What is the Malthusian dilemma?

6 billion and counting l