Chapter 15 (Population and Environment)

What is demography?

The scientific study of population that examines composition and territorial distribution to understand social consequences of population changes.

Who is Thomas Malthus and what is he known for?

An 18th-century academic known for his theories on population growth and his book 'Essays on the Principles of Population' (1798).

What is Malthus's main argument regarding population and resources?

Population increases exponentially while resources grow arithmetically, leading to shortages.

What idea did Malthus propose about food supply?

Food supply grows arithmetically, increasing by fixed amounts over time, creating a disparity with rapidly growing population.

How did Karl Marx react to Malthus's theories?

He criticized Malthus, arguing that capitalism, not population growth, is the driver of social ills.

What is the Neo-Malthusian view?

A concept that merges the arguments of Malthus and Marx regarding population and resources.

What do Anti-Malthusians argue about technology and resources?

They argue that innovations allow for new ways to acquire and produce resources more affordably, potentially keeping pace with population growth.

What are population pyramids used for?

They are tools in social sciences to analyze a country's population and make projections for future demographics.

What factors affect population growth or decline?

Along with births and deaths, migration is a significant factor in population growth or decline.

What is migration?

The relatively permanent movement of people with the purpose of changing their place of residence.

What are the recent predominant directions of U.S. population growth?

To the South and to the West.

What is human ecology?

The study of the interrelationships between people and their environment.

What perspective does human ecology often take?

A conflict theory perspective regarding changes in the environment.

What does ecological modernization focus on?

The alignment of environmentally favorable practices with economic self-interest through constant adaptation and restructuring.

How do migration rates in the U.S. categorize?

They can be classified as international or internal migrations.