Author Question: Describe Thomas Robert Malthus's predictions. What are today's anti-Malthusian and neo-Malthusian ... (Read 285 times)

melly21297 · **on:** Jul 2, 2018

Describe Thomas Robert Malthus's predictions. What are today's anti-Malthusian and neo-Malthusian approaches?

What is an Ideal response?

Question 2

State the logic of growth and limits to growth theses. Explain how each has a different view of social problems involving the environment, as well as their solutions. Is one more politically liberal and one more politically conservative?

What is an Ideal response?

momolu · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Malthus predicted social chaos, based on his belief that a rising population would consume the world's resources.
The anti-Malthusian viewpoint, similar to the logic-of-growth viewpoint, is conservative because it expresses support for the status quo, in the belief that problems people create are problems people can solve.
Because of their pessimistic view of the future, liberal environmentalists are sometimes called neo-Malthusians. They agree with the warnings sounded two centuries ago by Malthus and support the limits-to-growth position.

Answer to Question 2

The logic-of-growth thesis supports economic development and asserts that people can solve whatever environmental problems may arise.
The limits-to-growth thesis states that societies have little choice but to curb development in order to avoid environmental collapse.
Liberals believe that government reforms such as mandatory recycling and strategies to reduce solid waste and develop cleaner-burning fuels are necessary to avoid eventual environmental collapse.
Conservatives acknowledge the reality of environmental problems, but argue that human beings will use their ingenuity and technology to solve them, with little need for government regulation.