Relationship between Population Growth and Food Supply
According to the Malthusian theory of population, the population increases exponentially, whereas food supply grows arithmetically. By nature, human beings increase in a quick geometric ratio, while food increases slowly in an arithmetic ratio. Ideally, population increases faster than food supply. Thus, the population must be controlled to keep the condition at equilibrium. An increase in population is limited by subsistence means of a given population and prevented by powerful checks. The higher the food supply, the larger the population sustained.
An overlap in population leads to a lack of adequate food supply, and as a result, people might die or struggle for existence. Therefore, Malthus suggests the use of checks on a population to avert the adverse effects of food shortage. Positive and preventive checks are the main checks used. Based on the positive checks, nature has a natural way of ensuring that population growth is at equilibrium with food supply. It occurs when humans fail to control population growth and can be informed of natural calamities such as famine, war, earthquakes, and epidemics. On the other hand, preventive checks influence population growth by decreasing birth rates. Ideally, these are check applied by man to prevent the adverse consequences that arise with increased population. As perceived by humankind, large family lowers living standards and increase responsibilities, though, late marriages and self-restraint marriage life help reduce birth rates.
Question 2
Relationship between Growth and Development
Growth involves the process of expansion or enlargement over a period of time, specifically in terms of quantitative aspects. On the other hand, development is a comprehensive concept that involves both quantitative and qualitative enlargement of a particular system, population, or institution. Though growth might not always impact positively, especially in the economic field, for instance, in terms of population growth may pose a threat to the economy, developments always signify a positive attitude.
Growth in the economy signifies the increase in production of services and goods to meet the unlimited population needs and adequately utilizing limited resources through raising entrepreneurship and outputs, checkoff population increase, and ensuring capital formulation. While in a broader perspective, development entails a multidimensional process that influences population structure, national institutions as well as factors the accelerate growth. The quality and standards of living are indicators of development, thus increases development improves population status and standards of living. Growth triggers development. When population growth occurs, it necessitates an increase in production, income, and service provision levels to sustain the population.