Why was Thomas Robert Malthus criticised by Liberal and Marxist scholars?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → For asserting that poverty was caused by population growth
Option (1) For asserting that poverty was caused by population growth — Correct. Malthus argued that population grows faster than food, so humanity is condemned to poverty unless population is controlled. Liberal and Marxist scholars criticised him for asserting that poverty was caused by population growth.
NCERT (2025-26): “The Malthusian Theory of Population Growth … However, the most effective refutation of his theory was provided by the historical experience of European countries. The pattern of population growth began to change in the latter half of nineteenth century, and by the end of the first quarter of the twentieth century these changes were quite dramatic. Birth rates had declined, and outbreaks of epidemic diseases were being controlled. Malthus’s predictions were proved false because both food production and standards of living continued to rise despite the rapid growth of population.” “Malthus was also criticised by liberal and Marxist scholars for asserting that poverty was caused by population growth. The critics argued that problems like poverty and starvation were caused by the unequal distribution of economic resources rather than by population growth. An unjust social system allowed a wealthy and privileged minority to live in luxury while the vast majority of the people were forced to live in poverty.” |