'Limits to growth' concept is associated with :

The correct answer is 'Neo-Malthusian Theory'

Key Points

• Neo-Malthusian Theory:
  • The 'Limits to Growth' concept is closely associated with Neo-Malthusian theory, which is an extension of Thomas Malthus's ideas on population growth and resource limitations.
  • Neo-Malthusians argue that unchecked population growth would lead to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and potential societal collapse.
  • The 'Limits to Growth' study, published in 1972 by the Club of Rome, used computer models to project the consequences of exponential population growth and finite resource supplies.
  • It highlighted the potential for catastrophic consequences if population and industrial growth continued without significant changes in consumption patterns and resource management.
  • The study emphasized the need for sustainable development and the adoption of policies to control population growth and minimize environmental impact.

Additional Information

• Demographic Transition Theory:
  • Demographic Transition Theory explains the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops economically.
  • This theory is divided into four stages: pre-industrial, transitional, industrial, and post-industrial.
  • It focuses on the changes in population growth rates over time, rather than directly addressing resource limitations and environmental sustainability.
• Optimum Population Theory:
  • Optimum Population Theory seeks to identify the ideal population size that maximizes economic welfare and resource utilization.
  • It suggests that there is a balance between population size and the available resources that can lead to the highest standard of living.
  • This theory does not inherently emphasize the limits of growth or the potential for resource depletion as strongly as Neo-Malthusian theory does.
• None of the above:
  • This option is incorrect because the 'Limits to Growth' concept is specifically linked to Neo-Malthusian ideas about resource constraints and the potential for environmental collapse due to overpopulation.

Important Points

• The 'Limits to Growth' report has been influential in shaping global discussions on sustainability and environmental policy.
• Critics of the report argue that technological advancements and human innovation can offset some of the dire predictions made by Neo-Malthusians.
• The debate between Neo-Malthusians and their critics continues to influence contemporary discourse on population growth, resource management, and sustainable development.