The Malthusian Trap

The Malthusian Trap is a theory proposed by Thomas Malthus in the late 18th century. It suggests that population growth tends to outpace food production, leading to periodic shortages and famines. As a population increases, resources become strained, causing living standards to decline. Malthus believed that this cycle would continue until factors like famine, disease, or war reduce the population to a sustainable level. Essentially, it warns that unchecked population growth can lead to societal collapse if resources are not managed effectively.