Thomas Malthus Harin Lee

Wait… who? He was born in Wooten, Surrey, England on February 13, 1766 Born to a wealthy and well- educated family. Daniel Malthus, his father, was a friend of two of the most influential political thinkers of the time: David Hume and Jean- Jacques Rousseau. Eventually Thomas went from Warrington Academy to the prestigious Cambridge University

His Education Thomas was well mentioned as an excellent student and was especially adept at English and Latin After he graduated from Cambridge, he returned home to work as a curator. Malthus decided to write his essay: The Essay on Principle Population in 1798

Later Life In 1799, Malthus embarked on a journey to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Switzerland and France to gather information When he returned, he was able to recreate his essay with more extensive information with statistics Unfortunately, Malthus did not skillfully use the information he had gathered Malthus had a quiet life with his wife and never really made another significant essay. He died in December 23, 1834 whilst he was visiting Claverton

His Philosophy? Malthus’s philosophy was that the population of the world increased at a much faster rate than the food that could be produced for the people He stated that any means that humans died was a great thing to happen; it would help allow more people to survive. He stated that the poor should refrain from trying to make a family they could not support to prevent more poverty He believed that the population grew at a geometric rate and food grew at an arithmetic rate

Quote “The different ratio in which population and food increase—The necessary effects of these different ratios of increase—Oscillation produced by them in the condition of the lower classes of society—Reasons why this oscillation has not been so much observed as might be expected—Three propositions on which the general argument of the Essay depends—The different states in which mankind have been known to exist proposed to be examined with reference to these three propositions. I said that population, when unchecked, increased in a geometrical ratio, and subsistence for man in an arithmetical ratio. Let us examine whether this position be just. I think it will be allowed, that no state has hitherto existed (at least that we have any account of) where the manners were so pure and simple, and the means of subsistence so abundant, that no check whatever has existed to early marriages, among the lower classes, from a fear of not providing well for their families, or among the higher classes, from a fear of lowering their condition in life. Consequently in no state that we have yet known has the power of population been left to exert itself with perfect freedom.”

Affect on Britain Then – Some people were adopting the concepts but some were angered by the idea of late marriage Now – Britain already had its massive increase in population – Being rich, they do not apply greatly to the theory as much as they used to – Agricultural methods are advanced

Affect on Europe Then: – Europe was beginning to industrialize and change very soon – Some people were starting to accept the Malthusian theory in which they believed was true as it was idealistic Now: – Europe is one of the most richest region in the world – this theory was disproven and proven Europe has a population depletion, there is no real geometric increase in the population

Quote “The labourer who earns eighteen pence a day and lives with some degree of comfort as a single man, will hesitate a little before he divides that pittance among four or five, which seems to be but just sufficient for one. Harder fare and harder labour he would submit to for the sake of living with the woman that he loves, but he must feel conscious, if he thinks at all, that should he have a large family, and any ill luck whatever, no degree of frugality, no possible exertion of his manual strength could preserve him from the heart- rending sensation of seeing his children starve, or of forfeiting his independence, and being obliged to the parish for their support. The love of independence is a sentiment that surely none would wish to be erased from the breast of man, though the parish law of England, it must be confessed, is a system of all others the most calculated gradually to weaken this sentiment, and in the end may eradicate it completely.”

Analysis This excerpt shows Malthus’s hypothetical example of why his theory would be beneficial to the poor too – Would prevent them from having any direct source of pain and destitute if they did not have a family to support in the first place Malthus is trying to demonstrate the importance of birth control – lesser population requires a lesser demand on anything – without the population of the poor increasing, it would allow food for all and prevent hunger

Real World Affect United Kingdom population growth rate: – 0.275% (2007 est.)

Conclusion It showed that the world’s demands were also indicating the poor population Ultimately Malthus had wanted an effective and logical way to prevent poverty A flaw could be that the Industrial Revolution boosted the amount of food in incredible amounts But even with this variation, could Malthus’s theory really be perceived as fake?

Bibliography "ABC-CLIO." ABC-CLIO. 3 Dec "Origins Of The Name." Sorbie Family Page. 3 Dec