what did Thomas Malthus believe
He believed the world was becoming overpopulated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Robert_Malthus
Thomas Malthus, an influential economist and demographer, believed in the concept of population growth and its impact on society. His main argument is outlined in his book "An Essay on the Principle of Population" published in 1798.
Malthus theorized that human population tends to grow geometrically, meaning it exponentially multiplies over time, while the availability of resources only increases arithmetically, meaning it increases at a much slower rate. This fundamental disparity led Malthus to predict that, unless checked by various factors, population growth would eventually surpass the Earth's ability to sustain it, resulting in widespread famine, poverty, and social unrest.
Malthus argued that the "checks" on population growth can occur in two ways:
1. Preventative Checks: Malthus believed that individuals should voluntarily limit the size of their families through practices such as celibacy, delayed marriage, and birth control, to avoid overtaxing available resources.
2. Positive Checks: Malthus also suggested that natural disasters, diseases, and malnutrition could act as "positive checks" on population growth, causing a decrease in the population through higher death rates.
Malthus' theories have provoked significant debate and criticism since their inception. Some argue that technological progress and increased efficiency in food production have invalidated his dire predictions, while others contend that his ideas remain relevant in analyzing the potential consequences of unchecked population growth.