The Malthusian Theory

The Malthusian Theory, proposed by Thomas Malthus, suggests that population growth tends to outpace the Earth's food supply. As the population increases exponentially, food production grows at a slower, arithmetic rate. This imbalance leads to shortages, resulting in famine, disease, and other hardships that reduce population size. Malthus believed these natural checks help maintain a balance between population and resources, preventing endless growth. While influential, the theory doesn't account for technological advances that have increased food production, allowing populations to grow beyond early predictions.