Question

Critically evaluate both the Malthusian perspective on the population problem and demographic transition theory.?

Answer 1

malthus argued that if we do not check the population then it will increase to a level more than its available resources. he studied the relationship between the growth in population as well as the resources. onthe basis of this he developed the malthusian theory of population growth stating that population growth increases according to the birth rate. he introduced two types of checks- preventive checks i.e. the actions people can voluntarily take so as to control population and positive checks i.e. actions shortening the average life span. he also gave moral restraint i.ee. people resist marriage and reproduction until later age of marriage.

demographic transitions involve transfering from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates. it was developed by warren thompson in 1929. he observed changes in birth and death rates in countries moving towards industrialisation. it helps to predict the birth rates will continue to go down as societies become richer but data illustrates that it rises after a certain level. it involves 5 stages-

• in the first stage, the death and birth rates of preindustralised societies are high and in balance. population growth is slow as society has a pressure of food supply.
• in stage two, the death rates drop because of improvement in food supply and sanitation in developing countries. fall in birth rates result in an imbalance and countries experience large increase in population.
• in the third stage, borth rates fall due to fertility factors. population growth levels off. this happened because of change in values and not the availibility of contraceptives.
• in the fourth stage, the birth and the death rates both decrease. the population shrinks. death rates ether may remain low or may rise slightly as diseases increaase due to low exercises and high obesity.
• stage five is not a compulsary stage. it is marked by changes in fertility rates either high or low.