AP Human Geography Unit 2

(2.6-2.8) section of unit 2

Malthusian theory

Population grows exponentially while food output only grow arithmetically. This would result in a food shortage and famine due to overpopulation.

Carrying capacity

The amount of population that a location can support WITHOUT harming the enviorment

Were did Thomas Malthus live ?

England 1700’s

What did Thomas Malthus experience ?

Industrial Revolution

name of essay from Malthusian theory

1798 An essay on the principles of population growth

Exponentially example

2,4,8,16

Arithemtically

1,2,3,4

Criticisms of Malthusian Theory 1

Factors slowing population growth

- contraceptives  -Education and advancement of woman 

Criticisms of Malthusian theory 3 

New technologies and inventions 

More efficient travel to deliver food

refrigeration in trucks and rail cars

tin cans to preserve food for longer 

Criticisms 2 Malthusian Theory

Factors that have increased efficiency of farming 

Mechanized farming 

hybrid seeds 

chemical fertilizers 

Boserup’s theory / claim

Food supply is impacted directly by population growth

As population increase = human innovation creates more food

what does neo mean

neo means new

Neo Malthus theory 

Earth can only sustain a limited finite amount of people

global overpopulation , Strain on natrual resources, Overconsumption , famine , starvation , water insecurity , desertification , pollution 

Objective of Malthusian Theory

Its critiques and theory used to analyze population changes and its consequences

Pro-natalist Policies Causes/Concerns

Aging population declining workforce declining population

Were do Pro-natalist policies Causes/concerns take place ?

Stage 4 & 5 Countries 

EXAMPLES of pro-natalist policies

Propaganda, financial support,

Financial support examples

free os sub sized child care, free education opportunities, lengthy & paid maternity leave

Immigration policies to promote population growth 

encourage skilled workers, youth immigration programs , family immigration programs 

ANTI- natalist policies

Government programs designed to decrease the fertility rate and slow down population growth

Anti-natalist policies Causes/concerns

overpopulation & rapid growth , limited resources & infastructure, risk of famine

Were are anti-natalist policies Causes/concerns taking place ?

stage 2 countries

examples of anti natalist policies

propoganda , ecenomic fear,smaller families,wait for marriage and kids , encourage having girls

examples of anti-natalist policies 2

financial disincentives &incentives (fines & taxes per child) , Prizes and rewards (discounts of child care for having limited number , cash bonuses preferential housing , loans , cars

unintended consequences of anti-natalist policies 

abortions , abandonment of babies , sex selective abortions favoring boys over girls,skewed sex ratios impacting future marriage and reproduction