The Malthusian Population Theory

1. The Malthusian population theory

Before one goes on to discuss population growth, one has to first acclimatize to the dynamics of population growth. Such dynamics are brought into play by the Malthusian population theory. The Malthusian population theory is that, the procreative instinct of mankind is such that population always increases as fast as the means of support will admit (Patek, 1906). Patek (1906) continues by stating that the idea of Malthusian is such that no man has a right to assume obligation of paternity until there is reasonable certainty that he will be able to maintain his offspring until they are self-supporting.

A similar description of the Malthusian population theory is given by Ehrlich and Lui (1997), which states

According to Coale (cited by Ehrlich and Lui, 1997), England 's population doubled in the two centuries before the Industrial Revolution which yielded an average rate increase of 0.35 percent. There was an unprecedented population growth in the European history during the last decades of the 18th century but it began to decrease during the 1800, this reduction was brought by decreases in the national birth rates that occurred in France and the United States (Ehrlich and Lui, 1997).

Furthermore, demographic transition occurred across the different countries (Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.). According to Brown et al. (1999) the world’s population doubled within half-century, the population grew from 2.5 billion in 1950 to 5.9 billion in 1998 thus those born before 1950 are members of the first generation to witness a doubling of world population. Brown et al. (1999) also stated that the world is experiencing more growth in population since 1950 than during the 4 million preceding years since our early ancestors first stood

Violent conflict is mainly driven by disputes over a shared natural resource due to population growth, as such if government help is ineffective in attempt to remedy the situation violent conflict may surface. According to Brown et al. (1999), population growth has been a driving force in many modern conflicts, like the “soccer war” in Central America in 1960 to present day conflicts in central Africa. Other examples include structural and demographic-driven water scarcity in the Middle East and disputes in the Nile River Basin between Egypt and Ethiopia.

Rapid demographic changes, such as a rise in migration sparks violent conflicts similar to recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Rapid growth in population can also lead to major conflict between two adjacent land owners over expansion of their land, also population growth can lead to major violent outbreaks in places like informal settlements, towns and townships due to over population and congestion. Which mainly causes a raise in violence statistics of a nation which in return affect its economy due to foreign investors evading the