Thomas Mathus Principles of Population Essays

Thomas Mathus Principles of Population Essays Thomas Mathus Principles of Population Essay Thomas Mathus Principles of Population Essay Thomas Malthus Principles of Population Today, there is both agreement and disagreement of Thomas Malthus’ essay on the principles of population. Malthus stated that population grows exponentially or at â€Å"geometric rate† and food production grows at arithmetic rate, or linearly. Geometric rate grows in a series of numbers (2,4,8,16,32†¦etc. ), which shows that children will grow up and each have their own children, and those children will have their own children. Eventually the base numbers of children will be so high that the population will grow rapidly, out pacing food production. Food production grows arithmetically in a series of number (2,3,4,5,6†¦etc. ) Today, some geographers believe that Malthus’ theory can be used to predict future population issues. The demographic transistion theory gives some explaination behind each side of malthus’ theory. The demographic transition theoy is shown through different stages of growth. Stage 1,low growth (high birth and high death rates),stage 2,high growth (high birth and low death rates), stage 3,moderate growth(low birth and low death rates), and stage 4, low growth(low birth and steady death). Countries that are in stages 2 and 3 are growing rapidly, without a fast food production. For example, in lesser developed countries such as Nigeria the population is growing rapidly, and out pacing the production of food. Also, with today’s medical technology, people are also living longer. The longer someone lives, the more food they need to stay alive. Some geographers are against Thomas Malthus’ theory on the principles of population. Although people are living longer, with a growing population also comes advancement in food technologies. Thomas Malthus did not take the advancements in the food technology into account when he proposed this theory. New food production advancements include technologies such as chemical fertilization, so more food is able to be produced. In countries that are in stage 3 and 4 of the demographic transition theory, such as the United States, there is a slow population growth. Additionally, there are many new technologies in food production and an abundant supply of food offered to United States citizens. This is an example of a place where the food production can keep up with the population growth.