A Commentary on Malthus’ 1798 Essay on Population As Social Theory
Elwell, Frank W.

Description

This commentary attempts to tie the interpretation closely to the original Essay rather than to the political charged reactions to that essay. Rather than a simplistic projection of future population growth and inevitable collapse, the Essay is a far subtler social theory of the relationships between sociocultural systems and their environments. The work includes commentary and criticism of Malthus’ methodology, the materialist, evolutionary, and functional elements of his theory, as well as the application of his theory to understanding the nature of welfare programs and possibilities for social progress. Includes a reprint of the original essay by Malthus.

Table of Contents

Table of contents: Preface; Introduction Part 1: Malthusian Theory Methods; Theory, Materialism; Checks; Evolution; Functionalism; Inequality; Theoretical Summary Part 2: Applying the Theory Poor Laws; Progress; Neo-Malthusianism Part 3: An Essay on the Principle of Population: As it affects the future improvement of society with remarks on the speculations of Mr. Godwin and M. Condorcet, and other writers by T. Robert Malthus Bibliography; Index

ISBN10:  0-7734-7669-5   ISBN13:  978-0-7734-7669-1    Pages:  324    Year:  2001   

Series: Mellen Studies in Sociology Number: 26

Subject Area: Political Science, Political Philosophy & Theory 

Imprint: Edwin Mellen Press

USA List Price: $139.95 UK List Price: £ 94.95  

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