Theory question 103
Population(a) Give two major views of Rev. Thomas Malthus in population theory.
(b) How relevant are his views to the economic realities of West African countries?
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(a) Population tends to grow in geometric progression (1, 2, 4, 8…) while food supply grows in arithmetic progression (1, 2, 3, 4…); population would outstrip food; positive checks (famine, disease, war) and preventive checks (late marriage, moral restraint) would bring population back in line; population doubles about every 25 years.
(b) Partly relevant: rapid population growth, food shortages, hunger, poverty and high dependency are visible in many West African countries.
Less relevant: improved farming technology, fertilisers and food imports have raised food supply; family planning and education are reducing birth rates; Malthus ignored international trade and technical progress.
Give his two progressions and the checks, then weigh evidence for and against in West Africa.