The Principle of Population

The Principle of Population, introduced by Thomas Malthus in the late 18th century, suggests that population tends to grow exponentially, while food production increases only arithmetically. This imbalance can lead to resource shortages, resulting in famine, disease, or conflict as the population outstrips available resources. Malthus argued that these checks on population growth are natural mechanisms that can limit human expansion if not managed. His ideas sparked debates about population growth, sustainability, and the socio-economic impacts of overpopulation, influencing theories in economics, ecology, and social policy.