Question

Using a diagram, outline why Malthus believed technological improvements would not improve living standards. Explain your reasoning why you agree or disagree with Malthus's analysis.

Answer 1

In Malthusian model, it is believed that if there is technological advancements, there would not be any increase in the per capita income. This is Because Malthus stated that once income increases, the population would start increasing. The increase in population will continue till the time the economy is back at subsistence.

In the graph above, the resources are increasing. This increase is accompanied by an increase in population. So any technological increase would ultimately be followed by population increase and this would cause the economy to remain at the original level of standard of living.

This is seen mostly in the developing countries where the economy remains poor and underdeveloped because the innovation would be accompanied by population increase and hence the standard of living is still the same.

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