All Flashcards
What is Malthusian Theory?
Population grows geometrically, food arithmetically, leading to crisis.
Explain the core idea of Cornucopian Theory.
Population growth spurs innovation and increases agricultural output.
What are the key assumptions of Malthus's theory?
Population grows faster than food, leading to famine, disease, and unrest.
How does the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) challenge Malthus?
DTM shows birth rates decline in later stages, contradicting Malthus's predictions.
What is the central argument of Neo-Malthusians?
Strict population control is needed to prevent resource depletion.
Explain the historical context of Malthus's theory.
Developed during the Industrial Revolution amid concerns about overpopulation.
What is Ester Boserup's contribution to geographic thought?
Argued that population growth leads to innovation and problem-solving in agriculture.
Explain the relevance of Malthusian theory to the Irish Potato Famine.
British used it to justify inaction, claiming overpopulation was the root cause.
What is the role of technology in the Cornucopian perspective?
Technology is seen as a key driver of increased food production and resource availability.
How does sustainability relate to Malthusian and Cornucopian theories?
Challenges both theories to consider long-term resource use and environmental impact.
What was the effect of the Industrial Revolution on Malthus's predictions?
Increased food production, disproving Malthus's immediate predictions.
What is the effect of population growth according to Cornucopian theory?
Increased innovation, economic growth, and improved living standards.
What was the effect of the Irish Potato Famine?
Massive suffering, migration, and the use of Malthusian theory to justify inaction.
What is the impact of Neo-Malthusian ideas on policy?
Influence on family planning discussions and population control measures.
What is the effect of technological advancements on food production?
Increased yields and efficiency, challenging Malthus's limitations.
What is the effect of rapid population growth in developing countries (20th century)?
Re-emergence of Malthusian concerns about resource depletion.
What is the effect of widespread contraceptive use, according to Neo-Malthusians?
Reduced population growth and decreased resource strain.
What is the effect of increased equality, according to Cornucopian theory?
Improved living standards and economic growth.
What is the effect of unsustainable resource use?
Resource depletion, environmental degradation, and potential societal collapse.
What is the effect of declining birth rates in later stages of the DTM?
Slower population growth, contradicting Malthus's predictions.
What is a demographer?
Someone who studies population characteristics.
Define geometric growth.
Growth that increases exponentially (2, 4, 8, 16...).
Define arithmetic growth.
Growth that increases linearly (1, 2, 3, 4...).
What is Neo-Malthusianism?
The advocacy for strict population control to protect resources.
Define Cornucopian Theory.
The belief that population growth leads to innovation and increased agricultural output.
What is the Demographic Transition Model (DTM)?
A model that describes population change over time as a country develops.
Define sustainability.
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What is resource depletion?
The using up of natural resources.
What is meant by 'population control'?
Measures taken to limit population growth.
Define family planning.
The practice of controlling the number of children in a family and the intervals between their births.