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Explain the superiority of Optimum Population Theory over The Malthusian Population Theory

Explain the superiority of Optimum Population Theory over The Malthusian Population Theory.

Answers

Abdullahi
1. The Malthusian law is a general study of the population problem because it is applicable to all countries irrespective to their economic conditions. On the other hand, the Optimum population theory is superior to Malthusian population theory because it studies the population problem in relation to the economic growth of the country.

2. Malthus had a narrow vision. He related growth of population to food supply. Other the other hand, the Optimum population theory has a much wider output since it relates the problem of population to the total production of the country both industrial and agricultural.

3. The Malthusian theory is a static concept which applies to a period of time. The OPT is a dynamic concept because over a period of time, the per-capita income may rise with the expansion and output due to improvement in knowledge, skill, capital, equipment and other elements of production. This may raise the optimum level of population that is the OPT is more realistic.

4. The Malthusian doctrine is simply theoretical and is devoid of all practical considerations. It regards all increase in population result to misery. Optimum population theory is practical because it regards to increase in population is not only desirable but also necessary for maximum solutions of continuous natural resources.

5. The Malthusian theory of population is based on the unrealistic assumption of regardless of nature; the belief arises from the operation of diminishing returns law in agriculture but the OPT takes a realistic view and argues based on law of diminishing returns that the law of diminishing returns does not operate in agriculture immediately but after the optimum point is reached.

6. Malthus was much obsessed by fear of population increase (overpopulation) to extent that he ignored a fundamental fact that a newly born comes out not only with a mouth but also a pair of hands.

7. Malthus was essentially a pessimist who portrayed a gloomy picture of mankind which was full of misery, vice, floods, famine, drought among others. OPT is superior because it does not suffer from pessimism it adopts optimistic attitudes towards the problem of population since it is related to the production of a country.
Dullayo answered the question on May 12, 2018 at 10:19

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