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Population and Food
Michael ItagakiSociology 102, Social Problems
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
How many people in the U.S. 303 million
Each day, Americans buy an average of Eggs:
58,863,993 Orville Redenbacher popcorn
978,030 Large Fries at Burger King
443,650
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
Demography Studies the size, composition, growth
and distribution of human populations
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
World Population Abrupt increases: ex. population in
Europe 1750—140 million people 1800—188 million people 1850—256 million people
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
World Population Why the increase? Improved public health Thomas McKeown
Infanticide practice declined after 1750
Why?
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
Demography Studies the size, composition, growth
and distribution of human populations Relationship between population
and the environment
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
Thomas Malthus (1798) An Essay on the Principle of
Population Population grows exponentially
2 to 4 to 8 to 16… = 2x
Food supply increases arithmetically1 to 2 to 3 to 4… = x+1
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
Thomas Malthus (1798) Exponential growth: Penny example 1 day, 1 cent; 2 days, 2 cents; 3
days, 4 cents One week = $ 1.28 Two weeks = $ 163.84 Three weeks = $ 20,971.52 Four weeks = $2,684,354.56
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
New Malthusians Exponential population growth
curve
Figure 13.1 (p. 424)World Population: The Exponential Growth CurveSources: Piotrow 1973: 4; Haub 1995, 2004.
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
New Malthusians Exponential population growth curve Population will outgrow food supply
Anti-Malthusians Exponential population growth curve
is wrong People adapt to the environment
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
Anti-Malthusians Rational planning for having
children Increased food production
Technology/Agriculture Ex.: Europe’s demographic
transition Figure 13-3
Figure 13.3 (p. 426)The Demographic TransitionSource: By the author.
Figure 13.1 (p. 424)World Population: The Exponential Growth CurveSources: Piotrow 1973: 4; Haub 1995, 2004.
The Problem in Sociological Perspective
Anti-Malthusians Growth is slowing down Demographic transition for rest
of world
The Scope of the Problem
New-Malthusians Population growth = not enough
food Solution: limit population
Anti-Malthusians More food available now than ever Solution: Redistribution of food
(political barriers)
Symbolic Interactionism
Why do the poor want so many children? Asset to the family Taking the role of the other
Figure 13.6 (p. 432)Why the Poor in the Least Industrialized Nations Want Many ChildrenBased on a survey in Indonesia, this figure shows how children are economic assets in the Least Industrialized Nations. Boys and girls can be net income earners for their families by the age of 9 or 10.Source: U.N. Fund for Population Activities.
Functionalism War, famine, disease are
functional to society Latent dysfunctions
Modern medicine Public health practices
Figure 13.3 (p. 426)The Demographic TransitionSource: By the author.
Figure 13.7 (p. 433)Population Pyramids of Mexico and the United StatesSource: By the author. Computed from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, International Data Base, Table 94.
Conflict Theory Power arrangements favor
industrialized nations Ex. U.S. & Canada control 60% of
wheat Sell surpluses for highest profit… not to the most needy Leaving farm land fallow: profit vs.
production
Research Findings New Malthusians
Figure 13.1 (p. 424)World Population: The Exponential Growth CurveSources: Piotrow 1973: 4; Haub 1995, 2004.
Research Findings New Malthusians
The earth’s three natural systems Limited carrying capacity
Research Findings New Malthusians
Fishing Grounds Forests Grasslands
Research Findings New Malthusians
Major Dangers Disease of Specialized Strains Intensification of natural disasters World peace threatened:
Research Findings Anti Malthusians
Figure 13.3 (p. 426)The Demographic TransitionSource: By the author.
Research Findings Anti Malthusians
Large populations are goodFood production is outpacing
population growth
Figure 13.4 (p. 428)How Much Food Does the World Produce Per Person?Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Simon 1981: 58; Statistical Abstract 1988: Table 1411; 1998: Tables 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383; recomputed to 1948-52 base. Note: Projections from 1997 on are the author's.
Immigration and the U.S. Population Composition Proportion of immigrants in the U.S.
population is the highest since 1940 Immigration will account for two-thirds
of the population growth in the next 50 years
Immigration leads to higher taxes but also brings substantial economic benefits
U.S. population policies focus on immigration – particularly illegal immigrants
Discussion Question
Should the United States Should simply close its doors to all immigrants? What would be the consequences
of doing so? How would such a move reflect on
our national values and priorities?
Figure 13.13a (p. 443)Density of Selected Countries (continued on next two slides)
Figure 13.13b (cont.)
Figure 13.13c (cont.)