Malthusianism is based on ideas by
Thomas Robert Malthus which he documented in An Essay on the Principle of Population in 1789. Malthus believed that unchecked
population growth is exponential while the growth of the food supply is arithmetical. This theory therefore calls for
measures of population control.
One way he believed to reduce the population was through moral
restraints such as abstinence and delayed marriage. The second population method he documented was through
premature death such as disease, starvation and war. Neo-Malthusianism refers to people who agree with Malthus
and the need for population control to ensure sustainability. Opposite to Malthus’ views are those of
cornucopians who believe that there is enough matter and energy on Earth to
allow unlimited room for growth.
Cornucopians are considered futurists who believe that progress of
material items will be met by advances in technology. The term is often used in a derogatory way to describe
someone who is overly optimistic about resource availability for the future.