Malthus's theory
In 1798 Thomas Robert Malthus published An Essay on the Principle of Population in which he argued that population growth will inevitably outpace food production, resulting in widespread famine. Some geographers agree with his theory and some don’t. This essay will explain why some geographers agree with Malthus’s theory and why others don’t.
Some geographers believe that population has been increasing rapidly as Malthus predicted. The first reason of population growth is the limited use of contraception. Some cultures and religions condemns contraception. For instance, some Christians believe that contraception is not natural and does not follow their god’s order. In some other cases, contraception just isn’t available or affordable. The second reason of population growth is political policies that encourage population growth. For example, Taiwan offers baby bonus to encourage women to have more children. The third reason is that most developing countries are in stage 2 or early stage 3 of the demographic transition, so the population will continue to grow.
Geographers accept Malthus’s theory believe that food supply has increased, but it has not kept up with population increase. The first reason is the conversion of farmland for urban use. For example, developing countries very often set redevelopment zones in farmlands and organize them into cities. The second reason is environmental degradation such as desertification, overgrazing, clear cutting, and soil erosion. The United States as the biggest crop exporter ranks the worse for environmental impact. Environmental degradation threatens future crop production. The third reason is the conversion of life-supporting crops to cash crops (tobacco, sugar, cotton, tea, coffee). Taiwan is an example, governmental policies encourage farmers grow cash crops such as flowers and fruits instead of rice. The fourth reason is the rising fuel costs will slow down growth of food production and distribution. Rising fuel cost will make the production of crops, and price of transportation more expensive. The fifth reason is climate change. Climate change will cause the decrease of food production because a lot of crops cannot adopt to different climates.
Geographers who disagree with Malthus’s theory believe that the population growth didn’t grow as Malthus predicted. The first reason is the expanded use of contraception. The availability of contraception has increase significantly in developing countries. The second reason is the political policies that limit population growth. The Chinese One Child Policy only allows a couple to have one child. It is very effective in limiting population growth. The third reason is that a lot of countries are in stage four, and even stage five of the demographic transition. Their populations are stable or declining, and most countries will eventually reach this stage.
Geographers who disagree with Malthus’s theory also believe that Food supply has grown faster than predicted by Malthus. There are new technology that enables more efficient farming such as mechanization, factory farming, genetically modified crops…. Agricultural land has increased in the pass decades. Also, future technology development might make food production even more efficient. They also believe that our ability to store and distribute these resources has improved. Food can be preserved through refrigeration, packing, and processed. Highways, containerization, and refrigerated trucks enables food to be transported in greater distances.
Some geographers believe that population has been increasing rapidly as Malthus predicted. The first reason of population growth is the limited use of contraception. Some cultures and religions condemns contraception. For instance, some Christians believe that contraception is not natural and does not follow their god’s order. In some other cases, contraception just isn’t available or affordable. The second reason of population growth is political policies that encourage population growth. For example, Taiwan offers baby bonus to encourage women to have more children. The third reason is that most developing countries are in stage 2 or early stage 3 of the demographic transition, so the population will continue to grow.
Geographers accept Malthus’s theory believe that food supply has increased, but it has not kept up with population increase. The first reason is the conversion of farmland for urban use. For example, developing countries very often set redevelopment zones in farmlands and organize them into cities. The second reason is environmental degradation such as desertification, overgrazing, clear cutting, and soil erosion. The United States as the biggest crop exporter ranks the worse for environmental impact. Environmental degradation threatens future crop production. The third reason is the conversion of life-supporting crops to cash crops (tobacco, sugar, cotton, tea, coffee). Taiwan is an example, governmental policies encourage farmers grow cash crops such as flowers and fruits instead of rice. The fourth reason is the rising fuel costs will slow down growth of food production and distribution. Rising fuel cost will make the production of crops, and price of transportation more expensive. The fifth reason is climate change. Climate change will cause the decrease of food production because a lot of crops cannot adopt to different climates.
Geographers who disagree with Malthus’s theory believe that the population growth didn’t grow as Malthus predicted. The first reason is the expanded use of contraception. The availability of contraception has increase significantly in developing countries. The second reason is the political policies that limit population growth. The Chinese One Child Policy only allows a couple to have one child. It is very effective in limiting population growth. The third reason is that a lot of countries are in stage four, and even stage five of the demographic transition. Their populations are stable or declining, and most countries will eventually reach this stage.
Geographers who disagree with Malthus’s theory also believe that Food supply has grown faster than predicted by Malthus. There are new technology that enables more efficient farming such as mechanization, factory farming, genetically modified crops…. Agricultural land has increased in the pass decades. Also, future technology development might make food production even more efficient. They also believe that our ability to store and distribute these resources has improved. Food can be preserved through refrigeration, packing, and processed. Highways, containerization, and refrigerated trucks enables food to be transported in greater distances.