Thread: The economy versus population growth

Originally Posted by billymrharvey

You have identified one of the most serious threats to the planet.....

Why do you think Malthusian analysis has been sidelined to Econ 101 growth theory, using it to introduce more complete analysis offered elsewhere?

Originally Posted by FreshAir

sadly, when populations get to big, plague is mother earth's answer

That and ethnic warfare. I believe ethnic warfare may be a natural population control mechanism.

We can see this with different tribes of baboons in Africa, or with territorial predators that hunt in packs.

The quality of comment on here is making Malthus look like a genius!

I think economists should focus much more on the limited land availability in the places decent paying jobs are to be found. We can see that, within the framework of a capitalist society, although there may theoretically still be enough resources for everyone, the theory of Malthus may still be applicable. In an economic system that is incapable of efficiently distributing resources (perhaps no system is), overpopulation can still be a problem.

Originally Posted by Anders Hoveland

the theory of Malthus may still be applicable.

As already said, Malthus is already used within very specific growth theory (making a mockery of the whole thread mind you)