1. Different approaches to the ‘population-resources’ debate
Pessimism vs. Optimism
Different approaches to the ‘population-resources’ debate

2. Malthus
Task: View figure (page 378 of Waugh). Draw the graph and discuss.
Malthus believed that there was a finite optimum population in relation to food supply and that an increase beyond that point would lead to a decline in living standards and to war, famine and disease.
An increase in the population above the optimum limit would therefore lead to war, famine and disease.

3. A PESSIMISTIC approach
Thomas Malthus (1798) proposed his work during the early stages of the industrial revolution when inadequate food and clothing were common features in England.
His argument was that population increases (geometrically) or at an exponential rate if unchecked i.e etc
Food supply at best increases at an arithmetic rate i.e etc

4. A PESSIMISTIC approach
Malthus suggested that a rise in population, however small, would mean that eventually population growth exceeded increases in food supply and that yields from a given field could not go on increasing forever and that the land available is finite.
He believed the population-resource balance was maintained by various ‘checks’:

5. Negative (preventative) checks are methods of limiting population growth:e.g. celibacy, delaying marriage which lower fertility rates
He noted that there was a correlation between wheat prices and marriage rates i.e. wheat price increases marriage rates decrease (C18th)
Positive checks (decrease in population size due to): famine, war, diseases i.e. anything which increases mortality and decreases life expectancy.
Carrying capacities can relate to ecosystems and humans.
Rapid economic growth can impede economic development by exacerbating social and economic problems.
Study the graphs on page 379 and summarise the points made relating to links between population growth and levels of economic development.

6. Checks fall into three categories;
Misery-(Shorten LE)
Vice-Warned against the dangers of practicing family planning which may lead to promiscuity
Moral restraint-Advised this e.g. delayed marriage and limit sexual partners.
This viewpoint also states that available technology to cultivate further would lead to soil erosion and a general decline in food production and the law of diminishing returns whereby with higher levels of technology only a small increase in yields would occur.

7. Criticisms to the theory
Too simplistic
Ignores the fact that only the poor go hungry (marxist viewpoint) and that it purely results from the poor distribution of resources.
Malthus did not see the changes in farming technology.
e.g. 10,000 sq meters (one hectare) or the size of a football pitch can feed 1000 people for a year (or enough tom feed the world)
This is backed up by the fact that in 1992 EU surpluses reached 26 million tonnes.
Task: Brainstorm the new technological innovations that have helped to improve food supply.

8. An OPTIMISTIC approach (Alternative theory)
Ester Boserup (1965) suggested that an increase in population would stimulate technologists to increase food production.
It followed that a rise in population will increase demand for food and therefore act as an incentive to modify technology to produce more food. In other words, “Necessity is the mother of invention”.
As population increases agriculture moves into higher stages of intensity with new methods.

9. An OPTIMISTIC approach
Followers of Boserup argue that food production is much more optimistic than that of a Malthusian, as she claims that food supplies will stay ahead of population growth.
Innovations such as the ‘Green Revolution’ introduced HYVs to LEDCs who witnessed increased yields from these processes allowing more people to be fed.

10. Limitations of Boserups theory
Based on closed communities, which apart from the globe, is not the case as migration occurs.
Therefore difficult to test these ideas as migration occurs in areas of over-population to relieve population pressure, which according to Boserups’s theory leads to technological innovation.
Also Over-population can lead to unsustainable farming practices which may degrade the land e.g. desertification in the Sahel.

11. In addition-The Club of Rome (Scientists and Administrators): Predicted in 1972 through the use of computer models, that if the then present trends in Population growth and resource utilization continued, then a sudden decline in economic growth would occur within the next century.
There is a need for a global equilibrium to include stabilization of population growth, use of resources, industrial growth and economic development with an emphasis on food production and conservation.
Research more about the Club of Rome’s predictions and environmental awareness campaign.

12. Tasks
Write a paragraph (82-83PRD) stating how the Mauritius case study supports Boserup’s theory
Write a paragraph explaining why Ethiopia supports the Neo-Malthusian perspective
Summarise the points made by Paul Erhlick (Neo-Malthusian viewpoint) and write a side regarding his views.