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Malthusian Theory in Relation to the Caribbean

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Malthusian Theory in Relation to the Caribbean
Malthusian Theory in relation to the Caribbean
According to Chinapoo et Al (2014), Thomas Malthus’s Theory (1798), claims that population growth is determined by certain natural laws and food supply was the main limit to population. He argued that population increases faster than the food supply and compared the way in which each increases. Malthus ' theory of population can be used to explain the dynamics of the relationship between population and resources in less developed territories. Since the Caribbean is considered to be less developed in comparison to other nation-states for example, the US, France, England and so on, the Malthusian theory of population can be applied to explain population-resource issues in the Caribbean. However it is limited in its scope and explanations, due to the diversity of the individual Caribbean territories themselves. The Caribbean region is very diverse and has been dynamic over the years. According to M.G Smith, the Caribbean region is known for its pluralistic, creole and historical characteristics that have made it what it is today, as different people brought their various practices, cultures, foods and agricultural ways with them. Malthus’s theory can therefore be applicable and related to the Caribbean at different time eras as society changes and develops. It is seen to very inapplicable to contemporary Caribbean society, but applicable to the Caribbean’s traditional society in most cases.
According to Mustapha et Al (2008), Malthus claimed that the population increases geometrically or exponentially. For instance if a couple has two children and each child had two children the result will be four grandchildren. On the other hand, he believed that the food supply increases arithmetically, that is a steady increase (2, 3, 4, and 5). In other words Malthus argued that eventually the population will outgrow its food supply and persons will therefore suffer from malnutrition, poverty and so on. Consequently, Malthus came

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