Explaining the Malthusian Trap

Tom Aedy outlines the essence of the Malthusian Trap and its contemporary relevance!

Economist: Thomas Malthus. Believed in the possibility of social progress and the prospect of utopia. But the future under threat by extensive population growth. Saw the situation as divinely imposed to encourage good behaviour.

Essentials: Predicts an apocalyptic forced return to subsistence level conditions in food production. Man needs food to survive and also enjoys procreation. Population increases geometrically but food production only arithmetically. Thus, demand for agricultural production will necessarily outstrip production at some point. Resources will be depleted in an unsustainable manner.

Contemporary significance: However, both counts are now in question. Firstly, man’s ability to use science and technology to innovate questions that agricultural production can only increase in an arithmetic manner. Secondly, fertility (in developed countries) has dropped – perhaps population will naturally diminish its growth rate or even plateau. NB – emerging nations still place tremendous pressure on food production in the short term. Very relevant in discussions of oil reserves – although slightly different because the amount of oil on the planet cannot increase in the same way food can.