The Geographical Perspective of Malthusian Theory

The relationship between limited resources and a growing population interests many geographers, which centres on the human-environment relationship over space and time. Among them, Malthusian theory aims to explain the contradictory nature of the exponential population growth rate and the arithmetic food supply growth rate.

Historical Background

In the year 1798, the English economist and demographer named Thomas Robert Malthus proposed his theory of population growth in his book titled "Essay on the Principle of Population". He was the first to propose a systematic theory of population. He believed that without any stern limits, the limited food resources would not be sufficient for the growing population. This ideology is commonly referred to as Malthusianism.

Principle Elements of Malthusian Theory

Principle elements of Malthusian theory are −

• Population and Food supply − Malthus assumed that the population could potentially grow in a geometrical fashion. In the absence of any checks, at this rate of increase, the population would be doubled every 25 years. Similarly, production from land could potentially grow in an arithmetical fashion even under the most favourable circumstances. This shows that the food supply increases at a slower rate than the population growth. This leads to a condition where the limited food supply will not be sufficient to satisfy the growing population accordingly.

• Malthusian Trap − When the increasing population growth exceeds the food supply, it will reach a stage beyond which the food supply is insufficient to feed the population. It is termed the "Malthusian Trap'.

Checks on the Population

For the better survival of humankind, Malthus suggested preventive and positive checks as the two main ways to curb the disequilibrium that exists between increasing population growth and limited food supply. The positive checks help to curb the growing population via natural calamities. On the other hand, the preventive checks are man-made checks.

Preventive Checks

• Man, as a rational being, can consider curbing his natural desire and passion between the sexes.

• Delaying the time of marriage or abstinence from marriage, thus reducing the rate of fertility among humans.

• An increase in the price of grain or wheat certainly affects the marriage rate in a strong negative correlation.

• When the supply of food cannot satisfy its demand, its price tends to increase. Then, the poor would postpone getting married.

Positive Checks

Nature has its own way of balancing and keeping the population in check according to the level of food supply. Some of the natural catastrophes directly affect mortality as follows.

• Lack of food and clothing.

• Inadequate food supplies may cause people to suffer from diseases and epidemics.

• People among themselves would fight over scarce resources, which might result in wars and famines.

• Floods and earthquakes

Limitations of Malthusian Theory:

The Malthusian theory of population was subjected to keen controversy. Some of the key criticisms are as follows.

• Malthus' views were considered by scholars as pessimistic in nature.

• His generalised forecast about the economic life of upcoming generations has not been realised in the Western world.

• Population and food supply rates have failed to increase as per his prediction.

• He has given no evidence for the arithmetic and geometric increase in the rates of food supply and population growth.

• Rapid advances in technology tremendously increase the food supply through agriculture and other means. In fact, in some countries, the rate of food supply is greater than the population growth rate.

• Countries tend to import food grains to satisfy the needs of their population accordingly. For example, England could not support its population's needs entirely from its own soil, rather it was compensated by the import of natural resources like coal, iron, and so on in exchange for industrial and manufacturing products.

• According to Malthus, the standard of living of people cannot be increased above the minimum subsistence level. Contrastingly, countries with a high standard of living find no evidence of necessarily high birth rates.

• He opposed the idea of the rich helping the poor in need in terms of monetary benefit. But, in 1834, the English government gave relief to the poor and unemployed individuals.

Conclusion

Though the gloomy conclusions made by Malthus have been criticised by many, his theory still finds its importance even now. Interestingly, the positive and preventive checks are true for a country like India. This theory can help balance population growth and resources accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Malthusian theory exactly explain?

The Malthusian Theory aims to explain the relationship between the growing population and the limited supply of food resources.

What is known as the Malthusian trap?

When the increasing population growth exceeds the food supply, it will reach a stage beyond which the food supply is insufficient to feed the population. It is termed the "Malthusian Trap'.

What are some of the positive checks given by Malthus?

Nature has its own way of balancing and keeping the population in check according to the level of food supply. Some of the natural catastrophes directly affect mortality as follows.

• Lack of food and clothing.

• Inadequate food supplies may cause people to suffer from diseases and epidemics.

• People among themselves would fight over scarce resources, which might result in wars and famines.

• Floods and earthquakes