Who Was Thomas Malthus?

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Who Was Thomas Malthus?

Let me tell you about Thomas Robert Malthus, an influential British economist. He's best known for his theory on population growth, which he outlined in his 1798 book 'An Essay on the Principle of Population.' In that work, Malthus argued that populations inevitably expand until they outgrow their available food supply, at which point growth is reversed by disease, famine, war, or some other calamity. He also developed an exponential formula to forecast population growth, now called the Malthusian growth model.

Key Takeaways from Malthus' Work

As an 18th-century British philosopher and economist, Malthus is noted for the Malthusian growth model, an exponential formula used to project population growth. His theory states that food supply can't keep up with human population growth, inevitably leading to disease, famine, war, and calamity. He was a statistician and proponent of political economy who founded the Statistical Society of London. Later, his theories justified British colonial policies that worsened the Irish Potato Famine. Today, his ideas are largely dismissed because modern farming techniques have scaled food production faster than he anticipated.

Understanding Malthus' Ideas

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, some philosophers believed human society would keep improving toward a utopia. I want you to know that Malthus countered this, arguing that parts of the population have always been poor and miserable, which slows growth. From his observations in early 1800s England, he saw that available farmland couldn't feed the increasing population. Specifically, he stated that human population increases geometrically, while food production increases arithmetically. Under this view, humans reproduce until numbers surpass production capacity, then famine or catastrophe reduces the population to a manageable level.

The Dismal Science and Influences

These conclusions led to economics being called the 'dismal science,' a term coined by Thomas Carlyle to describe Malthus' views on overpopulation and famine. The naturalist Charles Darwin based his theory of natural selection partly on Malthus' population analysis. Malthus' ideas also saw a resurgence in the 20th century with Keynesian economics.

Fast Fact on Darwin

Here's a quick note: Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection was partially derived from Malthus' theory of population growth.

Malthus' Early Life and Education

Thomas Malthus was born on February 13, 1766, to a prominent family near Guildford, Surrey. He was home-schooled before entering Cambridge University's Jesus College in 1784. He earned a master's degree in 1791 and became a fellow two years later. In 1805, he took a professorship in history and political economy at the East India Company's college at Haileybury. He became a fellow of the Royal Society in 1819, joined the Political Economy Club in 1821 with David Ricardo and James Mill, and was elected to the Royal Society of Literature in 1824. In 1833, he joined France's Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques and Berlin's Royal Academy. He co-founded the Statistical Society of London in 1834 and died that same year in St. Catherine, near Bath, Somerset.

Published Works of Thomas Malthus

Malthus' most famous work is his book 'An Essay on the Principle of Population,' first published in 1798 and expanded later. It contains his argument that populations grow faster than agricultural output, leading to famines or crises. Later editions suggested 'moral restraint' could slow growth. He was a prolific essayist and corresponded with economists. Other works include 'The Present High Price of Provisions' (1800), where he criticized England's Poor Laws for encouraging the poor to have more children; 'Observations on the Effect of the Corn Laws' (1814), arguing for importing corn over protectionist laws; and 'Principles of Political Economy' (1820), outlining his views on free trade in response to David Ricardo.

Important Note on Political Economy

The term 'political economy' was first used academically when Malthus became a professor of history and political economy at the East India Company's college.

Malthus and Population Growth

As an 18th-century Anglican cleric, Malthus shaped his theory on population growth from that perspective. He believed poor people would work hard in good times to produce abundant food but then abuse it by having larger families. Eventually, numbers would exceed the ability to provide necessities, leading to starvation or disaster until the population dropped. In short, Malthus was somewhat misanthropic, though he denied it. In his book, he wrote that humans are 'inert, sluggish, and averse from labour, unless compelled by necessity.' He argued against Poor Laws, saying denying relief to the very poor would increase overall happiness.

Criticism of Thomas Malthus

Malthus' population theory has been largely discredited over time due to technological advances that invalidated his conclusions. His ideas became repugnant because of the political decisions they influenced. However, his theory on 'gluts' or overproduction influenced economists like John Maynard Keynes, who developed analyses of economic boom-and-bust cycles.

An Outdated Conclusion

Malthus' idea that population growth would exceed production was based on late 18th-century English life and his European travels. The Industrial Revolution ramped up agricultural production beyond subsistence farming. Later advances like chemical fertilizers and genetic modifications have scaled food production further. For instance, India's Green Revolution in the 1960s fed a growing population in Punjab, and post-World War II Europe saw population increases without widespread starvation.

An Excuse for Political Malpractice

Simplified, Malthus' theory echoes Ebenezer Scrooge's view that the poor should die to 'decrease the surplus population.' It was used to support genocidal policies in colonial India. Though Malthus died before the Irish Potato Famine, politicians cited his theory to blame overpopulation rather than British policies for the deaths.

Explain Like I'm Five

Thomas Malthus was a British economist famous for predicting that human population grows faster than food production, causing periodic famines when limits are exceeded. His theories justified colonial policies in Ireland and India. Though outdated now, they influenced thinkers like Charles Darwin and John Maynard Keynes on overpopulation and production limits.

What Did Malthus Predict About Population Growth?

Malthus predicted that natural population growth would outpace agricultural output, leading to famine and catastrophes until the population drops to sustainable levels. He believed this cycle is endless: abundance increases fertility until unsustainability causes collapse.

How Did Thomas Malthus Influence Charles Darwin?

Darwin's natural selection theory was influenced by Malthus' population ideas. Darwin saw that limited resources create competitive pressures on species, leading to adaptations over time for better survival.

What Is the Malthusian Growth Model?

The Malthusian growth model is a mathematical equation for population growth, where the growth rate is proportionate to the current population, equivalent to exponential growth that doubles at predictable intervals.

The Bottom Line

Thomas Malthus was an 18th-century British economist known for theorizing that human populations outgrow agricultural capabilities, causing famines and disasters. These ideas have been discredited by agricultural innovations but remain influential in evolutionary biology.

Who Was Thomas Malthus?

Highlights