Human Population
Growth:
Ester Boserup
BY:
Enyonam
Shannon
Samuel
Content Background on The
Boserup Theory
The Boserup Theory and it’s
Strengths and Weaknesses
How The Boserup Theory
contradicts the Malthus
Theory
Who Was Ester Boserup?
Ester was a Danish economist.
She is known for her theory of agricultural intensification, also
known as Boserup's theory, which posits that population
change drives the intensity of agricultural production.
Her position countered the Malthusian theory that agricultural
methods determine population via limits on food supply.
Her best-known book on this subject, The Conditions of
Agricultural Growth, presents a "dynamic analysis embracing
all types of primitive agriculture." (Boserup, E. 1965. p 13)
Before Ester’s Theory -
Thomas Malthus
For more than 200 years, Thomas Malthus' theory
served as the foundation for population increase
theories.
He believed that when there was a sufficient
amount of food, population would increase, and
vice versa.
This implied that the number of resources
directly affected population increase.
Before Ester’s Theory -
Thomas Malthus(Cont.)
Many people adopt the Malthusian theory of population
change.
As a result of this, they conclude that the planet is in
danger due to overpopulation.
Population growth will eventually deplete the world's
agricultural resources and drive population declines.
There will come a day when there won't be any more food,
at which point humanity will perish.
The Boserup
Theory
The Boserup Theory
Boserup adopts an
These are:
alternative approach The primary point that
Finding ways for current
than that of Malthus. croplands to produce she often made is quite
Her population growth higher yields. simple: necessity is the
theory indicates that The elimination of food mother of invention.
current food waste within current
A roughly 500-year-old
productivity needs to distribution systems.
be improved rather Using the creative energy proverb, it has practical
than further developing of the human mind to application in Ester
new food resources. harness new inventions Boserup's theory of
Several methods could to encourage additional
population growth.
be used to achieve this. food resources.
The Boserup Theory (Cont.)
In the Ester Boserup population growth theory,
we can see her believe that humanity would
always find a way to survive.
She refused to believe in the idea that people
would need to die simply because we could not
find a new way to produce food.
According to Boserup, many of our food
resources are currently under-developed.
Through a process of intensification within the
agricultural sector, it would become possible to
sustain a growing population with ingenuity and
hard work.
But What About The Future?
Boserup says the future will be dictated by the
response of humans in that future. If more food is
needed, then populations will put more people
into agricultural labor to enhance the food supply.
Croplands will be cultivated with more intensity.
People will find a way to solve the problem.
Strengths of the
boserup theory
Boserup’s theory emphasizes the role of
population growth in driving agricultural
development. This is an important insight,
as it highlights the need to consider
demographic factors when analyzing
economic development.
Boserup’s theory suggests that
technological advances are driven by
necessity. In other words, when people
need to increase food supply to survive,
they will make advances in technology to
achieve this goal.
Weaknesses of the theory
Boserup’s theory has been criticized for being too
simplistic. Some scholars argue that it fails to take into
account the complex social, political, and economic
factors that influence agricultural development.
Boserup’s theory assumes that population growth is
the primary driver of agricultural development.
However, this may not always be the case. Other
factors, such as changes in market conditions or
government policies, may also play a significant role.
How Ester’s
Theory
Contradicted
Thomas’
Esther Boserup vs Thomas Malthus
How Ester’s Theory
Contradicted Thomas’
Thomas Malthus and Ester Boserup had
opposing views on the relationship between
population expansion and food supply.
Malthus considered humanity a ‘closed
system’ and didn’t expect food globalization.
Boserup spoke to cultural and technological
problems, whereas Malthus mentioned
environmental constraints .
How Ester’s Theory Contradicted
Thomas’ (Cont.)
Malthus focused on the dangers of overpopulation,
while Boserup focused on the potential benefits of
population growth.
Malthus argued that population growth should be
checked by famine, disease, and war, while Boserup
argued that population growth should be managed
through education, contraception, and family planning.
BOSERUP’S THEORY vs MALTHUS’ THEORY
Boserup Malthus
Thank you
very
much!
