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Neo-Malthusian

Last updated: February 1, 2017

What Does Neo-Malthusian Mean?

Neo-Malthusianism refers to the belief that population control through the use of contraception is essential for the survival of the earth’s human population. It rests on the observation that resources are limited, and that growing populations could rapidly outstrip the provision of resources including land and food.

Safeopedia Explains Neo-Malthusian

The concept of Malthusianism is named after the Reverend Thomas Robert Malthus, who in a 1798 paper titled “An Essay on the Principle of Population” suggested that population growth should be limited through abstinence and by restricting the marriage of those who live in poverty or suffer physical defects. He also theorized that disease, starvation and war were “positive checks” that helped to limit population growth. Today, neo-Malthusians advocate birth control as the most practical means of limiting population growth.

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