Which of the following statements best captures the essence of Malthus' theory as outlined in the passage?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Answer: the natural imbalance between food supply and population growth leads to unavoidable hardships unless population is controlled
Explanation: Thomas Robert Malthus’ theory states that population tends to grow faster than the means of food production. This creates a natural imbalance between population growth and food supply, leading to scarcity, poverty, and other hardships unless population growth is checked through preventive or positive controls.
Thus, the core idea is that unchecked population growth will inevitably outstrip food supply, causing crises.
Additional Key Facts
Proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus in his work An Essay on the Principle of Population (1798).
Population grows in geometric progression, while food supply grows in arithmetic progression.
Controls suggested by Malthus:
Preventive checks: moral restraint, delayed marriage
Positive checks: famine, disease, war
His theory is often criticized due to neglect of technological advancements in agriculture.
Considered a foundational concept in population studies (demography).
Potential Exam-Oriented Questions & Answers
Question: What are positive checks in Malthusian theory?
Answer: Famine, disease, war
Question: What is the main concern of Malthusian theory?
Answer: Overpopulation leading to resource scarcity