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Does Malthus's principle of population still have a practical purpose nowadays?

Author

Listed:
  • José Carlos Ramírez Sánchez

    (Division of Economics, CIDE)

Abstract

By introducing a delay differential equation into a population model this paper attempts to show that an update on Malthus's principle of population requires using new mathematical analyses involving oscillations around a stable attractor. Acceptance of the fact that Malthusian dynamic equilibria are smooth and unique is a valid simplification for setting broad theoretical relationships between the population and means of subsistence, but it is not enough for understanding the potential relevance of the principle in dealing with current demographic problems. Results based on Mexico's demographic experience show that new dynamic approaches on the principle can be useful to describe recent aspects of the population's behavior in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • José Carlos Ramírez Sánchez, 2012. "Does Malthus's principle of population still have a practical purpose nowadays?," Working Papers DTE 532, CIDE, División de Economía.
    • Handle: RePEc:emc:wpaper:dte532
    as

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    File URL: http://www.economiamexicana.cide.edu/RePEc/emc/pdf/DTE/DTE532.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Pingle, 2003. "Introducing Dynamic Analysis Using Malthus's Principle of Population," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 3-20, January.
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    3. John M. Hartwick, 1988. "Robert Wallace and Malthus and the ratios," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 20(3), pages 357-379, Fall.
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    6. Richard H. Day, 1983. "The Emergence of Chaos from Classical Economic Growth," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 98(2), pages 201-213.
    7. repec:bla:scandj:v:80:y:1978:i:2:p:190-98 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Ramírez, José Carlos & Morelos, José B., 2002. "El concepto de población en los modelos de crecimiento económico," El Trimestre Económico, Fondo de Cultura Económica, vol. 0(274), pages 145-190, abril-jun.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Malthus; practical purpose; population model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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