2.6 Malthusian Theory

• What is the central argument of Malthusian Theory?

  Population grows geometrically, food arithmetically
• What are natural checks on population growth in Malthusian Theory?

  Famine, disease, and war
• What does geometric population growth mean in Malthus's assumptions?

  Population doubles each generation
• Match the type of growth with its description:

  Linear Growth ↔️ Increases by a fixed amount each time period

  Exponential Growth ↔️ Increases by a multiplicative factor
• Linear growth increases by a fixed amount each time period.


  True
• What role do positive checks play in Malthusian Theory?

  Limit population growth
• What is the key difference between linear growth and exponential growth in Malthusian Theory?

  Fixed amount vs. multiplicative factor
• What is another term for positive checks on population growth in Malthusian Theory?

  Natural checks
• Checks on population growth occur when the population surpasses the capacity of food production.


  True
• Malthusian Theory states that food production increases arithmetically
• Thomas Malthus developed his theory in 1798.


  True
• Malthus assumed that food production increases by adding a fixed amount
• What is an example of exponential growth in Malthusian terms?

  Doubling in size every generation
• Positive checks on population growth increase the death rate.
• Linear growth increases by a fixed amount each time period
• Match the type of check with its impact on population:

  Positive Checks ↔️ Increase death rate

  Preventive Checks ↔️ Decrease birth rate
• Positive checks on population growth include famine, disease, and war
• Steps in the demographic transition, which Malthus did not account for:

  1️⃣ High birth and death rates

  2️⃣ Transition to low birth and death rates
• Malthus's model is criticized for being overly simplistic
• What is the demographic transition that Malthus did not account for in his theory?

  Shift from high to low rates
• What is one of the primary criticisms of Malthusian Theory regarding technological advances?

  Underestimated food production
• Why is a more nuanced and multifaceted approach needed to address contemporary population challenges?

  Complex socioeconomic factors
• Why have Malthus's predictions of widespread famine not materialized in many parts of the world?

  Technological advances
• Match the limitation of Malthusian Theory with its description:

  Oversimplification ↔️ Fails to account for socioeconomic factors

  Deterministic View ↔️ Ignores individual agency
• Malthus underestimated the ability of technological advances to increase food production
• Steps in the demographic transition process Malthus did not account for:

  1️⃣ High birth and death rates

  2️⃣ Transition to low birth and death rates