Malthus: On the Population

Adam Hawiger

Thesis: Thomas Malthus held a belief that the growing English population would not be able to sustain its resources, claiming that these poor conditions were the result of the economic system.
1. Malthus claimed that the population posed great difficulties on the English population
a. Among these claims was the claim that the population needed food and sexual satisfaction.
b. He claimed that according to natural law set forth by God, population increases geometrically, and subsistence with it. Malthus claimed that a large portion of society suffered as a result of this growth.
2. Malthus claimed that population checks would be helpful in two ways, preventively and positively.
a. He believes that once man sees the plight of others he will try to have a sustainable amount of children.
b. As positive checks, Malthus labels poverty, child labor, all excesses, and other ill effects of a poor society.
3. Malthus attributes this poverty to blaming the employers.
a. Malthus claims that the working man will not judge himself.
b. Malthus also claims that government aid will do little to alleviate the plight of the poor.