When looking at Malthusian economics and Smith Economics when see a shift from moral philosophy to political economy despite its dominated framework set out in the wealth of nations. The economics theories developed by Adam Smith (1723-1790) and Thomas Malthus (1766-1834) provided rational explanations for social developments in the industrial revolution. Like the philosophers of the Enlightenment, both Smith and Malthus used the reason to postulate abstract theories on aspects of society such as economics and population.
Smith being well known for his book Wealth of Nations expounds that the free market will produce the right amount and variety of goods by the force of the “invisible hand” The notion of the “invisible hand” meaning the market will produce satisfactory outcomes for the buyers and sellers and naturally allocate the optimal level of society’s resources. This would happen if there is “self-interest” and competition also leading to economic prosperity and well-being.
Malthus would develop Smith’s Economics by providing somewhat implications for Smiths equilibrium. Smith thought that Capitalists without interference with the government could be most productive by dividing the production process into many discrete steps. If such measures were implemented then society would naturally progress favorably as more goods were readily available to the public. However, took it one step further by stating that society would be doomed to destruction because over population would deplete a limited food supply. He argued that “population growth was the reason for the poor” Malthus was afraid that food production will not be able to keep with population growth. And in the long run this would result in starvation, and widespread famine, which would serve as a check to further population growth. This was Malthus’ core argument; meaning that this food constraint placed severe limits on human