The Malthusian Blues Chapter 16



The Malthusian Blues Chapter 16Explain why competitive market economies don’t have to fear the Malthusian Blues?“Malthusian Blues” are a dismal outlook on the world. The predictions made, however, are not absolutely certain. The conclusion made is that population growth is only controlled because of (1) the security offered by private property and (2) the institution of marriage because they both limit selfishness and reproduction. While it is true that these factors keep population growth in check, they do so for different reasons. In free markets, where prices rise and fall in response to shortages and surpluses, individual entrepreneurs are highly motivated to produce more food. In the short term, these means they respond to rising prices by increasing their supply of food to consumers. In the long run, however, suppliers seek innovation and technology to help them raise productivity even more at lower costs to further their profit seeking. Also, in economies where inflation adjusted incomes rise more than costs, families with more income have fewer children because their quality of life is improved by this choice.What are three most effective policies a developing country can adopt in order to decrease birth rates?Less developed countries, or LDCs, need to improve the status and economic value of women in order to help create cultural conditions that help decrease birth rates. One of the most effective means to do this is through increasing women’s access to education, which will then enable them to seek more profitable jobs and careers. Statistically, improving female education ahs been shown to have on of the strongest and most consistent effects in decreasing population growth in LDCs. Not only does improved female education offer women more opportunities, but it has also been shown to delay marriage, improve health care for children and women, increase the use of contraceptives, and increase female labor force participation. In effect, education helps raise the opportunity cost of a woman spending time in only or mainly child care because she has a greater value to the labor force as a worker.Are birth control pills another form of abortion?For centuries, Christian Doctrine has been antagonistic toward birth control. Through the middle Ages Christian churches have opposed not only infanticide and abortion, but also sterilization and most of the natural forms of contraception. However, Scripture has no direct command against contraception. Jesus’ New Covenant specifies that His Kingdom is to grow by spreading the Gospel, baptizing, teaching, personal witness, and the direct expression of God’s love, not through birthing practices. How should Christians be involved in sex education?Although some Christians are conflicted toward the development and use of contraceptives, the population situation in LDCs has led some Christians to reexamine their views. The poorest people in the world suffer disproportionate hardships of high birth rates and high infant mortality rates. Moreover, the rampant spread of AIDS has created a health crisis in many LDCs. There is also the reality of environmental damage that occurs when low income persons and nations place short term economic survival ahead of long term environmental consequences. Because on these reasons Christians need to consider a “contraceptive ethos” that can help them compliment the policies and programs churches and other Christian organizations promote. Christians must find ways to work with the multitude of secular and governmental organizations seeking to facilitate economic and social conditions that naturally lead to a decline in birth rate. They need to make the help in the management of population growth, while maintaining God’s mandated dignity for the value of all life and upholding the sanctity of sexual relations within marriage. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download