Compare the Neo-Malthusian and Cornucopian theories of population growth. Comparing Neo-Malthusian and Cornucopian Theories of Population Growth

Comparing Neo-Malthusian and Cornucopian Theories of Population Growth

The Neo-Malthusian and Cornucopian theories of population growth are two opposing views that attempt to explain how and why population growth occurs. The Neo-Malthusian theory, first proposed by Thomas Malthus in 1798, suggests that population growth leads to overpopulation and eventually leads to famine, disease and poverty (Tcherneva & Wray, 2019). The Cornucopian theory, on the other hand, suggests that population growth will lead to increased resources and technological advances, creating a better quality of life for all (Kuznets, 2020). The Neo-Malthusian theory argues that the world’s population is growing faster than its ability to produce resources, leading to a scarcity of resources and an increase in poverty (Tcherneva & Wray, 2018). This theory has been challenged by the Cornucopian theory, which states that human ingenuity and technological advances will be able to overcome the shortages of resources. This theory suggests that population growth leads to increased incentives to innovate and improve technology, therefore leading to improved living standards (Kuznets, 2017). Cont…