UNIT 2 LESSON POPULATION
POLICIES
STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO…
Analyze the merits of population growth
theories
Articulate the role of government policies
with regards to population growth
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
Three Types:
1) Expansive
2) Eugenic
3) Restrictive
Government can influence through behaviors
EXPANSIVE POLICIES
Expansive Population Policies:
“encourage large families and raise the
rate of natural increase” (Foulberg,
2012, p. 73
Example: “Mother Heroine” medal in
Soviet Union, given for raising more
than 10 kids.
 Russian version is the “Order of
Parental Glory” which is seven children.
RESTRICTIVE POPULATION POLICIES
Restrictive Population policies: “reduce the rate of natural
increase”.
 Birth Control
 Prohibition of large families
 China 1 child policy
 Still so-so existence, but has been adapted to help address the high
rate infanticide of females
 India had forced sterilization
 Election to offices required 2 or less children
EUGENIC POPULATION POLICIES
Eugenic population policies: “favor one racial or cultural sector
of the population over others.”
 Nazi Germany is the most famous historical example
Can be practiced covertly
 Resource allocation
 Cryptic laws (such as race laws for marriage)
STATE POLICIES ARE LIMITED
Not uncommon for a religion to focus on
expansionist policies
In Contrast states might focus on constricting
policies
Economic factors will motivate growth in
developed nations
EUROPEAN NATIONS
Many have sought to encourage higher birth rates
 Sweden has VERY generous maternity leave
 Finland (Baby in a Box!!)
THOMAS MALTHUS
I’m a British Economist & Cleric.
I was born in 1766-1834, which is only important to
let you know I lived during England’s transition
through Stage 2 of the Demographic Transition
Model.
I said that population growth would out strip food
production.
Here’s why…..
MALTHUS
ARGUES THAT
POPULATION
INCREASED
GEOMETRICALLY
(1,2,4,8)
WHEREAS FOOD
SUPPLY
INCREASED
ARITHMETICALLY
(1,2,3,4).
Malthus Thesis:
1) Means of subsistence (no food  die)
2) Population will increase with increase in the
means of subsistence (lots of food  more
babies)
3) Checks that will inhibit the productive capacity of
population are “private” (choose moral restraint
such as celibacy & chastity) or “destructive”
(war, poverty, pestilence, and famine).
NEO-MALTHUSIANS
 Malthus’ predications did not come true
 The population continued to increase
 Malthus then faded away until 1950’s
 Neo-Malthusians have similar/same beliefs regarding population
 It’s still rising
 Strongly advocate for population control
 i.e.; birth control
 Different from Malthus in that Malthus focused on moral restraint
ESTER BOSERUP
I’m the only well-known female
theorist you will encounter in Human Geography.
I died in 1999 and was born in Denmark. I’m not in
your textbook either.
I’m an economist and I really didn’t agree with
Malthus or Neo-Malthusians.
…because…
…HUMANS WILL ALWAYS INNOVATE…