POPULATION THEORIES

MALTHUSIAN THEORY An Essay on the Principle of Population Malthusian Theory – predicted that population would soon reach astronomical numbers Population grows at an geometric progression (2,4,8,16… - “doubling time”) Consequences: Food production increases arithmetic (1,2,3,4….) Checking Growth - Running Out of Space?Running Out of Space? 1.Reduce births through birth control, sexual self-control, delayed marriage/child bearing 2.War, disease, famine Did not believe that number 1 would happen

DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION THEORY Demographic Transition Theory - Rate of GrowthRate of Growth Population patterns are tied to a society’s level of technological development – moves at three stages 1. Pre-industrial: societies have a high birth and death rate Birth – Children are sources of labor/no means of birth control Death – Lack of medical technology 2. Industrial: societies have a high birth rate and lower death rate – rapid growth in population Birth – children still highly desired and used and some sources of labor Death – improved medical sources, sanitation, and food supply 3. Fully Industrial: Societies have a low birth and death rate – growth occurs very slowly 1.Birth – increased birth control means, no need for labor 2.Death – continued increase in medical techniques Zero Population Growth – point at which death rate and birth rate become nearly equal

High Birthrate + High Death Rate = Slow Population Growth High birthrate + Low Death Rate = Rapid Population Growth Low birthrate + Low Death Rate = Slow Population Growth Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3 Birth Rate Death Rate

FAMILY PLANNING/ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS World contains nearly 6.2 billion people Growth rate at 1.3% (high was 2% in the 1960s) Family Planning The conscious decision by couples to have a certain number of children Goal is to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies Antinatalism – official policies designed to discourage people from having children Economic Improvements Push for better health, higher levels of education, and higher income will lead to lower birth rates Contradiction: Having basic necessities causes families to voluntarily limit size of family, but large families hurt ability to have necessities Science of Overpopulation

KEY VOCABULARY Malthusian Theory Demographic Transition Theory Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Zero Population Growth Family Planning Antinatalism