This module deals with canons of population theory. We will first discuss the theories of Malthus, Marx and a few others which have had the greatest impact on theorizing about population and development. Then we will discuss if there is any possibility of synthesizing some of these theories or whether different theories co-exist without competing with each other. This is followed by demographic transition theory which summarizes the empirical data on 19th and 20th century demographic processes in the North-West Europe. Finally, we discuss Gandhian theory of population which would be of some interest to Indian students of population sociology.
T.R.MALTHUS
The first major study of population was taken up by Thomas Robert Malthus. He produced his essay entitled The Principle of Population as it Affects the Future Improvement of Society , anonymously, in 1978. It created lot of controversy. Subsequently, to defend himself Malthus produced six editions of the essay between 1798 and 1826. With his writings, an era of fear of over-population started (Paul, 1948). Malthus was Britain 's first professor in political economy at the East India Company College . In 1797 he had taken orders and become an Anglican country parson . Being a clergyman Malthus seems to be guided by the idea that sex is at the root of all problems of man. He thought that passion for sex not only degrades and eventually kills a man but also degrades and kills human society. He was a pessimist and is called a doomsday philosopher.
|
