MALTHUSIAN POPULATION THEORY

The Malthusian population theory is outcome of an essay title An Essay Population” written in 1798 by Reverend Thomas Robert Malthus, an Anglican clergy and a well-known political economist.

The essay he wrote was influenced greatly by the rate at which the population in Europe at that time was growing at a very fast rate. In his essay, highlighted the relationship between population and means of subsistence.

The main features of Malthusian theory

The main views or features of the Malthusian theory about population are:

• That population was growing geometric progression such as 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc, while food production or supply was growing at an arithmetical progression such as 1,2,3,4,5, etc.
• That there is a tendency for all living to grow beyond the food available them.

• That unless population increase matched with means of subsistence negative and positive checks will into force.
• That the checks can be war, disease epidemics and famine.
• That population is essentially limited the means of subsistence.

Developments or events that have proved Malthusian theory wrong

Developments or events that have rend; Malthusian theory wrong or irrelevant in pr day situation is found in developed count: such as England, America, Japan and Germany.

These developments include:

• Development of technical knowledge and mechanization: The development of technical knowledge and mechanization of agriculture in advanced or developed countries has helped to increase food supply

• Changes in social attitude: Changes in social attitude like family size and family ling or birth control in these countries,

• Efficient transportation system: Reared efficiency in the transportation system enables more materials to be provided to areas that needed them.

• Industrial revolution: The industrial revolution, especially in Europe, also changed the idea of land as a fixed factor production.

• Medical improvement: Medical improvement by way of efficient health : services also enables people to enjoy long life thereby proving Malthus theory wrong.

• Opening of new colonies: The opening v colonies like America, Canada and Australia provided the necessary land for human habitation.

• Inter-dependency of nations: The inter-dependency of nations for goods and services available in large quantities as a : of international trade.

Developments or events that have proved Malthusian theory right

Development or its or events that have proved Malthusian theory right or valid in developing countries in Asia, Africa and even in the present in Nigeria. The events are as follows:

Negative attitude: Negative attitude like practice of polygamy and giving birth to children have made the population of many developing countries, including Nigeria, to increase on daily basis.

High population and low food production: The population of many developing countries is growing at a geometric progression while food production is growing at an arithmetical progression.

Difficulties in eradicating poverty: Poverty, which is inherent in a given society according to Malthus, has proved extremely difficult to be wiped out of many poor countries.

Poor economic development: Rapid population growth militates against rapid economic development and it grows faster than per capital income.

Fallen standard of living: The standard of living of many developing countries has fallen as a result of increase in population.

1.     economic tools for nation building
2.  
3. factors affecting the expansion of industries
4. bud
5. mineral resources and the mining industries
6. demand and supply
7. types of demand curve and used
8. advertising industry
9. factors of production
10. entrepreneur
11. joint stock company

1. RINDER PESTS
   148. NEWCASTLE DISEASE
   149. BACTERIA DISEASES
   150. ANTHRAX
   151. BRUCELLOSIS
   152. TUBERCULOSIS
   153. FUNGAL DISEASES

PROTOZOAN DISEASES
155. TRYPONOSOMIASIS