Malthus and the Less Developed World: The Pivotal Role of India

Malthuss ideas have survived 2 centuries since his First Essay was anonymously published and remain an intellectual force with which to be reckoned. The author considers why this is so and examines the unique role of the English-speaking world and the connection between Britain and India in determining the survival of the principle of population. He first examines the kind of society which produced Malthuss theory and the elements which survived time and transplantation. Malthus is important because he perceived a self-regulating system explaining population fluctuations which Charles Darwin later generalized for all species. Human fecundity was so great that it could easily outstrip the growth in food production. Malthuss theory is explained and considered followed by examination of the acceptance of his doctrines Malthuss treatment of the developing world the Anglo-Indian link and the impact on India of Malthusianism and neo-Malthusian thought.