Question

What lessons exist within the ideas of pre-Malthusian thinkers on population that can be applied conceptually to the demographic situations we currently confront in the world?

Answer 1

The theory of population (population size and change) have remained an important topic since time immemorial. Many of the ancient philosophers like Confucius (China), Kautilya (India), Ibn Khaldun (Arab), Plato (Greece) and modem thinkers and economists like Adam Smith, David Richard, and others, either directly or indirectly, have said somewhat significant on population issues.

Some of them are Pronatalist and others are Anti-Natalist.

The Anti- Natalists creates awareness of the potential for populations to grow beyond their resources

Plato, writing in The Laws in 360 B.C., emphasized the importance of population stability rather than growth which is modern day need because of population explosion causes an imbalance in nature.

Confucius—Population growth is good, but governments should maintain Doctrines a balance between population and resources. In the modern-day world, we are exploiting resources without foreseeing the result. Therefore, we should keep a balance between population and resources.

On the other side, Pro-Natalist were arguing about the exploitation of the population as a resource.

Ibn Khaldun—Population growth is inherently good because it increases occupational specialization and raises incomes.

In the modern world, it means that need to train our laborer to gain an advantage of occupational specialization and raise the standard of living.