In his Essay on Population (1798) Thomas Robert Malthus’s (1766-1834) explained his theory of population growth. He argued that human populations tend to grow at a much faster rate than the rate at which the means of human subsistence can grow such as food, clothing, and other agriculture-based products. According to him, agricultural production grows only in a progression of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc. while population can grow in a progression of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 etc. In such a context, he argued for the need for preventing population growth. However, there are incidents in history that reject his way of seeing the growth of the population and its relation to resources. There are counter theories too which refute his observation and prove his theory as false.
Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Malthus's theory of population?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
Malthus theorized focusing on population checks by nature, not by human beings. Options 2 & 3 are correct in relation to his theory of population.