1. POPULATION THEORIES

2. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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