The critics of Malthusian theory argued that poverty and starvation were caused by:
(A) unequal distribution of economic resources
(B) population growth
(C) unjust social system
(D) privileged majority
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A) and (C) only
(A) unequal distribution of economic resources Correct. Liberal and Marxist critics argued that poverty and starvation were caused by the unequal distribution of economic resources rather than by population growth.
(B) population growth Incorrect. This was Malthus’s own claim, the very point the critics rejected. They blamed the way resources were shared, not the number of people.
(C) unjust social system Correct. In the critics’ view, an unjust social system allowed a few to live in luxury while the vast majority were forced to live in poverty.
(D) privileged majority Incorrect. The critics spoke of a wealthy and privileged minority, not a majority; it was the vast majority who lived in poverty. One word, majority in place of minority, turns the critics’ point upside down, so read every word before you mark it.
NCERT (2025-26): “2.1 Some Theories and Concepts in Demography … 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.” |