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Copy of Malthusian Theory Powerpoint

Uploaded by

mikaylakhoffman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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THOMAS MALTHUS’

THEORY OF POPULATION
What is this theory and does it hold true today
THE THEORY Quantity

Population grows geometrically


because people have many children

Arable (farmable) land on Earth is


finite and our ability to expand
available resources such as food and
water grows more slowly, at an
arithmetic rate
Time
When population demand exceeds
amount of resources competition
occurs and people become savage Geometric (exponential) growth: A pattern
brutes, killing each other off and then of growth that occurs in multiples Ex:
less children are born Doubling (2, 4, 8, 16, 32)

This lowers population below the Arithmetic growth: A pattern of growth that
occurs in addition or subtraction
point of crisis and then the “cycle of
Ex: Add 2 (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)
misery” repeats
QUESTION FOR THE CLASS #1

What do you think happens


Quantity
at the “point of crisis” on the
graph?

Time
WHERE IT COMES FROM
Malthus believed the same factors that
limit animal population growth also were
limits of human growth
Predators
Harsh Weather
Epidemics
Starvation

The main point: Uncontrolled


reproduction is the central problem
that leads to shortages of resources.

Malthus believed the above limits of


human growth were natural and should
not be interfered with.
QUESTION FOR THE CLASS #2
How could this “self-regulation” of
populations be weaponized?
DOES IT HOLD UP? NO
According to Malthus’ original theory the population of today should be impossible.

There were advancements he couldn’t have possibly anticipated


agricultural revolution (wooden plow and corn shellers)
industrial revolution (steam engine/ high-power farming tools)
green revolution (fertilizers and pesticides, GMOs, pest control)
To adapt to larger populations we have made innovations in
our farming and energy production practices.
Terrace farming - allows for crops to grow on steep/
sloped areas
Dam - holds water back to control flooding and water
can produce hydroelectricity
Polder - low-lying land reclaimed through protective
dikes, used for agricultural, residential, or commercial
needs (common in Netherlands)
QUESTION FOR THE CLASS #3
Which of these agricultural advancements
do you think is the most impactful and why?
DOES IT HAVE VALUE? YES
Impacts of Malthusian theory
In areas of low-income without access to
technology these theories are more relevant
Gave methods and importance to the study of
economics
Foundation for evolutionary science

Why does it matter?


Land is finite so food and water aren’t entirely
renewable when these resources are polluted
and exploited/overused.
Due to climate change, warmer global
temperatures can diminish crop yields as global
populations rise. This causes an increase in food
prices and political unrest.
QUESTION FOR THE CLASS #4
In Urinetown, which aspects of the
environment and government validate
or invalidate Malthus’ theory?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
As a lawyer you are either going to defend or reject Mathus’ theory.
After you separate into groups you have 10 minutes to establish a
character idea and think about your main points.

Write down your favorite points for your side of the debate, be sure
to have at least three. Also, consider a counterargument and offer a
point that successfully defends your argument against it.

CONSIDER THIS
Be Creative! Give your
character
unique/unexpected traits
ex: disorganized, cheery,
timid, lazy, in a rush
DEBATE NORMS AND VOCAB
Argument - a reason or set of reasons given to persuade others that an action or
idea is right or wrong.
Counterargument - an argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea
or theory developed in another argument.
Straw man - an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is
easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.
Ad Hominem - an argument directed against a person rather than the position they
are maintaining.
In debates, participants are expected to be
well-prepared, and confident.
They make eye contact and project their
voice to be understood clearly.

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