Which of the following statements is incorrect for the Malthusian Theory of Population Growth?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) - Malthus said/argued that we can control the population through 'geometric checks' and 'arithmetic check'
Malthus did not argue that population could be controlled through specific checks. Instead, he proposed that population growth tends to outstrip the growth of resources, leading to various checks such as famine, disease, and war, which he termed as "checks to population growth." He did not advocate for specific methods to control population growth like "geometric checks" or "arithmetic checks."
- Malthus's theory was pessimistic: This statement is true. He believed population growth would eventually lead to famine and societal collapse due to exceeding resource limitations.
- Malthus outlined his theory in Essay on Population: This statement is true. His ideas were published in this 1798 book.
- Malthus argued population growth would outstrip food production: This statement is true. He believed population grows exponentially ("geometrically") while food production only increases linearly ("arithmetically").