Sociology / Unit 10 Soc 1722 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Malthusian Theory
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The idea
Malthusian theory holds that population growth exceeding a region's carrying capacity is checked by war, famine, and disease, or by preventive measures like birth control.
In practice
Malthus reasoned food production grows arithmetically while population grows exponentially, so unchecked growth would eventually outrun food supply.
Where people slip
Population has continued growing well past Malthus's predicted collapse; the theory is taught as historical framework, not confirmed forecast.
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