Glossary
Arithmetic Growth
A pattern of increase where a quantity grows by a constant amount over equal time intervals, resulting in linear growth (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4...).
Example:
If a baker consistently bakes 10 more loaves of bread each day than the day before, that's an example of arithmetic growth in their daily output.
Cornucopian Theory
A theory that counters Malthusianism, asserting that human ingenuity and technological innovation will always find ways to overcome resource scarcity and increase agricultural output as population grows.
Example:
A believer in Cornucopian Theory would suggest that even if we run out of fossil fuels, human innovation will develop new, sustainable energy sources.
Demographer
An individual who studies the characteristics of human populations, including their size, growth, density, distribution, and vital statistics like birth and death rates.
Example:
A demographer might analyze census data to understand how migration patterns are changing the age structure of a country.
Demographic Transition Model (DTM)
A model that describes the historical shift of birth and death rates from high to low levels in a population, typically as a result of economic and social development.
Example:
The Demographic Transition Model helps explain why many developed countries now face challenges associated with aging populations and declining birth rates.
Ester Boserup
A Danish economist who argued that population growth stimulates agricultural innovation and increased food production, directly challenging Malthus's pessimistic view.
Example:
Ester Boserup's work suggests that a growing population in a region might lead to the invention of new farming techniques rather than famine.
Geometric Growth
A pattern of increase where a quantity grows by a constant factor over equal time intervals, resulting in exponential growth (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 16...).
Example:
The rapid spread of a viral video across social media platforms often demonstrates geometric growth in viewership.
Irish Potato Famine
A period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland between 1845 and 1849, caused by potato crop failure and exacerbated by British political and economic policies.
Example:
The Irish Potato Famine is often cited as a historical event where Malthusian ideas were controversially used to justify a lack of intervention.
Malthusian Theory
A theory stating that population grows geometrically (exponentially) while food production increases arithmetically (linearly), leading to a predicted crisis where population outstrips food supply.
Example:
According to Malthusian Theory, if a family doubles its size every generation but their farm only adds a fixed amount of land each year, they will eventually run out of food.
Neo-Malthusians
Modern proponents of Malthusian theory who advocate for strict population control and resource conservation, often emphasizing the environmental limits of Earth's carrying capacity.
Example:
Neo-Malthusians might argue that global climate change and resource depletion are direct consequences of unchecked population growth.
Paul Ehrlich
An American biologist and prominent Neo-Malthusian, known for his 1968 book 'The Population Bomb,' which warned of mass starvation due to overpopulation.
Example:
Paul Ehrlich's dire predictions about population growth in the 20th century significantly influenced the environmental movement and discussions on family planning.
Stuart Brand
An American writer and environmentalist, mentioned in the context of Neo-Malthusian ideas for advocating for smaller families and resource protection.
Example:
While known for diverse environmental work, Stuart Brand was cited by some as supporting population control measures to protect global resources.
Sustainability
The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often balancing environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability.
Example:
Designing cities with efficient public transport and green spaces is a key aspect of promoting urban sustainability.
Thomas Malthus
A British economist and demographer (1766-1834) who proposed that population growth would inevitably outpace food production, leading to widespread famine and societal collapse.
Example:
The predictions of Thomas Malthus made many people in the 18th century worry about the future availability of food for a growing global population.