Topic 2.6

Essential Knowledge

Malthusian theory and its critiques are used to analyze population change and its consequences.  

Thomas Malthus’s Theory (1798) 

• Claimed population grows faster than food supply. 
• Population = exponential growth (1, 2, 4, 8, 16…). 
• Food supply = linear growth (1, 2, 3, 4, 5…). 
• Predicted famine, conflict, and disease would keep populations in check. 

Criticisms of Malthus 

• Did not predict agricultural innovations (Green Revolution, GMOs, mechanization) that increased food supply faster than expected. 
• Many developed countries have slowed population growth due to falling fertility rates. 

Neo-Malthusians 

• Modern scholars worry not just about food but also resource depletion (water, energy, land). 
• Believe rapid growth in developing countries could still strain global resources. 

Exam Tips: 
Malthus’s original predictions didn’t come true globally, but his ideas still influence debates about overpopulation, sustainability, and resource scarcity. 

Contextualization

Video #1: Was Thanos Right?  

This is a longer video, but it does a great job of breaking down the ideas behind Malthusian Theory, population growth, density, and the demographic transition model.  

In Practice

Essential Question 

Explain the Malthusian theory of population growth and decline. 

Conceptual Analysis Questions  

1. Describe one ECONOMIC factor that effects population growth. Explain how this factor contributes to growth. 
2. Describe one POLITICAL factor that effects population growth. Explain how this factor contributes to growth.  
3. Describe one SOCIAL or CULTURAL factor that effects population growth. Explain how this factor contributes to growth. 
4. Describe one ENVIRONMENTAL or NATURAL factor that effects population growth. Explain how this factor contributes to growth. 

Vocab Review  

Provide a shorthand working definition for each of the following terms. This means it needs to be in YOUR OWN WORDS. 

• Malthusian Theory 
• Neo-malthusian  

MCQ:  

(You only need to write the letter for the answer you select). 

Which of the following best describes a limitation of Malthus’s theory of population growth? 

A. He underestimated the role of migration in balancing population growth. 
B. He did not foresee technological innovations that would greatly increase food production. 
C. He assumed population growth would eventually stabilize on its own. 
D. He predicted that food production would grow exponentially like population. 
E. He ignored the influence of cultural values on fertility rates.