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.)