Neomalthusian population theory, or neomalthusianism, is a contemporary demographic theory adapted from the theory developed by the English economist Thomas Malthus (1736-1834).
According to her, it is necessary to have birth control in the poorest countries so that there can be a better quality of life.
To understand neo-Malthusianism
As said before, the neo-Malthusian theory is a resumption of the theory developed by Malthus.
According to his theory, food production would grow in an arithmetic progression (1, 2, 3, 4, 5...), while population growth would take place in a geometric progression (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32...).
Thus, the production of resources would be unable to meet the population's needs, causing a decline in the quality of life.
Thus, Malthus proposed a moral re-education aimed at making individuals responsible for birth control and, consequently, for the maintenance of living conditions.
It would be up to individuals to encourage abstinence, late marriages and family planning (only have a number of children that they could feed).
From the 19th century onwards, industrial revolutions and the technological development of production generated discredit on Malthusian theory.
However, from the second half of the twentieth century and the demographic explosion around the world, the Malthusian theory started to be taken up by some scholars.
For them, a readaptation of Malthus' theory, neo-Malthusianism, could prevent the global economy from shrinking.
See too: Malthusian Theory.
Neomalthusian theory and population control
The thesis defended by neo-Malthusianism implies the use of population control strategies by governments, especially in underdeveloped countries and areas.
According to neo-Malthusian theory, population expansion is the main source of misery.
In this way, it forces governments to shift funds, which could be allocated in the economy, to social measures to help these poorer sections of the population.
Thus, neo-Malthusianism differs from Malthus' thesis by replacing the moral and individual factor in controlling birth rates with the promotion of contraceptive methods by governments.
According to this thesis, it is only through population control that unemployment and poverty can be reduced and, finally, resources allocated to investments aimed at economic expansion.
The antagonism between neo-Malthusian and reformist theory
There are different population theories that seek to relate demographic expansion to social issues. Neo-Malthusianism advocates State intervention in population growth to reduce poverty.
Reformist theory proposes that the exploitation of the poorest is the source of social inequalities. These inequalities are reflected in the reduction of basic subsistence conditions such as: housing, food, health, education and security.
These factors combined contribute to decreased family planning capacity and an exacerbated population growth.
Thus, there is an inversion of cause and effect between the theories:
- neomalthusian theory - cause: high birth rate; effect: unemployment and misery.
- reformist theory - Cause: exploitation, unemployment and misery; effect: high birth rate.
The reformist theory is based on several studies that show a reduction in birth rates in countries that invest in the quality of life of their citizens.
Interested? See too:
- Demographic Theories
- Demographic density
- Birth and Mortality Rate
- Age pyramid
