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Chapter 5: Population

Chapter 5: Population. Population Theories. Population Theories. Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection -growth is controlled by natural law Individuals with advantageous mutations are likely to survive and reproduce than those without due to competition caused by scarcity of resources

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Chapter 5: Population

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  1. Chapter 5: Population Population Theories

  2. Population Theories • Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection • -growth is controlled by natural law • Individuals with advantageous mutations are likely to survive and reproduce than those without due to competition caused by scarcity of resources • Natural Selection-The process by which organisms with favourable variations survive and reproduce at a higher rate over many generations

  3. Population Theories • Malthus’ Theory of Population Growth • Growth controlled by natural law • Political economist who influenced Darwin’s theory of evolution • Concerned about declining living conditions in 19th century England caused by 3 elements:overproduction, inability of resources to keep up with rising population, irresponsibility of the lower classes

  4. Population Theories Malthus cont’d • Theory-population increases geometrically, but food increases arithmetically • Population growth increases labour supply, but not the supply of land • As land becomes overused and unable to deliver, certain regions may experience mass starvation (desertification=famine)

  5. Population Theories • Karl Marx “Das Kapital” • Critic of Malthus-population is not controlled by natural law • High levels of population growth were not the cause of poverty-but the other way around • Poverty was caused by an unfair economic system (capitalism) profiting at the expense of labourers • Keeping workers poor also caused high rates of population growth

  6. Population Theories • William Catton-Revolutionary Change • A sustainable economic system is one that does not exceed the carrying capacity, but people choose at what standard they will be carried • Used historical events to define perceptions of carrying capacity (Age of Exuberance, Industrial Revolution)

  7. Population Theories (Catton cont’d) • People have a dangerous delusion that whatever problems may confront them there will always be new technology to help, but industrialization and technology have helped us develop a phantom carrying capacity • Eventually population will return to a level that can be permanently supported, but due to damage already done, it will be at a much lower level • Believed in sustainable development

  8. Population Theories • Don Bogue’s Theory of Demographic Regulation • Humans are able to foresee demographic catastrophe (indicators) and regulate population • Self regulation can be initiated faster today because of communication and contraceptive advancements • Nations faced with serious overpopulation, will adapt to lower fertility rates • Within our lifetime, fertility control may become an integral part of morals and culture

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