Paper 2 · population and food supply
Malthusian theory contrasts how population and food supply grow over time. If food supply grows arithmetically, increasing by a constant amount each period (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), how does Malthus argue population grows if unchecked?
AArithmetically, increasing by the same constant amount each period, matching food supply's rate
BGeometrically, increasing by a constant multiple each period, e.g. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16
CIt declines steadily once population size passes a fixed numerical threshold set by resources
DIt fluctuates randomly from one period to the next with no consistent underlying pattern at all
Explanation: Malthus argued that population, if unchecked, grows geometrically (each generation multiplying the previous one, e.g. doubling), while food supply can only be increased arithmetically, by adding a roughly constant amount each period through bringing new land into cultivation. Because a geometric sequence overtakes an arithmetic one, population growth was predicted to outstrip food supply, leading Malthus to expect population to be checked by famine, disease, or war.
Derived from ZIMSEC Geography Paper 2, November 2004, Q3
