Echoes of the Malthusian Debate at the Population Summit
Author(s)
Rothschild, Emma
Abstract
Population research has been deeply influenced by predictions of exponential growth of populations made by economist Thomas Malthus in the 19th century. Modern demographers continue to quote his model to support their warnings that global populations will expand at a rate that would not be supported by economic development. Malthus was optimistic in hoping for a reduction in resources that would hold back population growth. However, a more alarming view is taken by environmentalists who see ecological degradation as an irreplaceable cost in the growth of human populations.
