2.6 Malthusian Theory

• Malthusian Theory proposes that population grows exponentially while resource supply increases arithmetically
• Order the key concepts of Malthusian Theory as they relate to each other.

  1️⃣ Population grows exponentially

  2️⃣ Resource supply increases arithmetically

  3️⃣ Population outstrips resources

  4️⃣ Natural checks occur (famine, disease, war)
• Malthus argued that natural checks such as war were necessary to reduce population to a sustainable level.


  True
• How does resource supply increase in Malthusian Theory?

  Arithmetical progression
• Malthusian Theory proposes that population grows exponentially while resource supply increases arithmetically

  True
• Population growth in Malthusian Theory follows a geometrical progression


  True
• Match the type of check with its description:

  Positive Check ↔️ Famine, disease, war

  Preventive Check ↔️ Delayed marriage, abstinence
• What fundamental mismatch did Malthus identify in his theory?

  Population and resources
• Malthusian Theory proposes that population grows exponentially while resource supply increases arithmetically
• In Malthusian Theory, if resource supply starts at 1 and increases by 1 unit each year, the progression follows an arithmetical pattern.
• Match the concept with its description:

  Population Growth ↔️ Grows exponentially (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 16)

  Resource Availability ↔️ Increases arithmetically (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4)

  Natural Checks ↔️ Famine, disease, war

  Assumptions ↔️ Constant growth rates, limited resource availability
• Resource supply in Malthusian Theory follows an arithmetical progression


  True
• Order the strengths and limitations of Malthusian Theory in a balanced evaluation:

  1️⃣ Highlighted population-resource imbalance

  2️⃣ Spurred policy discussions

  3️⃣ Overly simplistic assumptions

  4️⃣ Failure of Malthusian catastrophe

  5️⃣ Ignores human agency
• Malthusian Theory accurately predicted a Malthusian catastrophe.

  False
• Malthus's assumptions accurately reflect modern socioeconomic trends.

  False
• What human ability did Malthus fail to account for in his theory?

  Adaptation and innovation
• What is Malthus's core argument regarding population growth and resource availability?

  Population outstrips resources
• What type of progression does resource supply follow in Malthusian Theory?

  Arithmetical progression
• Match the positive check with its description:

  Famine ↔️ Lack of food leading to starvation

  Disease ↔️ Spread of illnesses increasing mortality

  War ↔️ Armed conflicts resulting in higher death rates
• What does abstinence involve as a preventive check on population growth?

  Refraining from sexual activity
• What has prevented the Malthusian catastrophe from occurring?

  Technological advances
• Malthus believed that natural checks such as famine and disease were inevitable consequences of population outstripping resources.


  True
• What happens when population growth exceeds resource availability according to Malthus?

  Natural checks occur
• Calculate the population growth in a geometrical progression starting with 2 and doubling each generation.

  1️⃣ Generation 1: 2

  2️⃣ Generation 2: 4

  3️⃣ Generation 3: 8

  4️⃣ Generation 4: 16
• Malthusian Theory contrasts with the geometrical progression of population, which grows exponentially
• Malthus argued that natural checks such as famine, disease, and war would inevitably occur to reduce the population back to a sustainable level
• Checks on population growth can be divided into positive checks, which increase mortality rates, and preventive checks, which reduce fertility
• Technological advances have allowed food production to keep pace with population growth, preventing the predicted Malthusian catastrophe

  True
• What socioeconomic complexities did Malthusian Theory fail to fully account for?

  Real-world complexities
• What are two examples of technological advances that prevented the Malthusian catastrophe?

  Agriculture and medicine
• What are the three natural checks proposed by Malthusian Theory?

  Famine, disease, war
• Malthus assumed unlimited resource availability.

  False
• Checks on population growth can be divided into positive and preventive checks.
• What type of progression does population growth follow?

  Geometrical
• Preventive checks reduce fertility rates.


  True
• Arrange the following strengths and limitations of Malthusian Theory:

  1️⃣ Highlighted population-resource imbalance

  2️⃣ Spurred policy discussions

  3️⃣ Oversimplified assumptions

  4️⃣ Failure of Malthusian catastrophe

  5️⃣ Ignores human agency
• Technological advances in agriculture have allowed food production to keep pace with population growth
• The Demographic Transition Model outlines stages of population growth and decline as societies develop
• What imbalance did Malthusian Theory highlight?

  Population-resource imbalance
• Malthusian Theory has faced significant critique due to its oversimplified assumptions