Writing As - Assignment Example

Writing As Writing As While Smith argues that all animal species naturally reproduce in relation to their means of subsistence,and that reproduction beyond the means of subsistence is impossible in any animal species, Malthus reasons that subsistence has no impact on population growth. In addition, Smith suggests that it is only among the underprivileged that the absence of subsistence can limit human reproduction, and that it can achieve this by harming a large percentage of the children produced by their fruitful marriages (Ness & Ciment, 2014).

Malthus, on the other hand, steers clear of this view. His theory is based on the simple premise that population growth is more exponential than food growth. As a result, it is necessary to adopt checks that will regulate population control by aligning it with food growth. The similarity between Malthus’ and Smith’s rationales lies in a belief that population regulates itself naturally. Consequently, it is not necessary to employ man-made measures to control population growth. In this regard, Smith reasons that the liberal reward of labor naturally limits population growth while Malthus rejects his proposal of a preventive check and leans towards a positive check (natural population-reducing disasters like famine, poor living and working conditions, conflict, and disease (Ness & Ciment, 2014).

In conclusion, it is safe to say that Smith and Malthus subscribe to the Darwinian concept of survival for the fittest and natural population control methods. It is also logical to infer that both authors’ objectives in making their arguments concerning population are the same. What both scholars are insinuating is that population growth is a self-regulating phenomenon that is better left to nature than manipulated using human interventions. ReferenceNess, I., & Ciment, J. (Eds.). (2014). The encyclopedia of global population and demographics.

Armonk, NY: Routledge.