O rozwoju demograficznym i ekonomicznym optymistycznie. Uwagi o teorii ludnościowej C. Clarka
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Date
1968
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Wydział Prawa i Administracji UAM
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An Optimistic View of the Demographic and Economic Development. A Commentary on C. Clark's Population Theory
Abstract
The Malthusian debate continues. Its subject generally is the tendency to
growth of population and all resources indispensible to life, the predicted end and
desired correction of this tendency as well as the kinds and means of population
policy. Optimists, pessimists, Malthusians, neo-Malthusians, anti- and non- Malthusians
are recognized according to their attitude to this question.
C. Clark who discussed his population theory in his work „Population Growth
and Land Use" belongs to the optimists and non-Malthusians. He is far from the
schematic attitude adopted in the debate. He does not accept the population catastrophe as the end of the present tendency of development He accepts the
growth of population as a factor of social, economic and cultural progress. He
demonstrates how humanity adapted itself to new conditions created by its
development. He points to the possibilities of solving actual problems.
Clark's optimism is particularly evident when he speaks about the possibility
of feeding further milliards of people. It can be realized by the help of modern
techniques utilizing large reserves of agriculture. In this way it is easy to get
food for 47 milliard people taking the present standard of living in North America,
or for 157 milliards on Japanese standards.
Clark is an optimist when he affirms that the population growth was not
a hindrance but a stimulant to all kinds of progress. Historians cannot prove that
population decrease brought social, advantages but they can prove the reverse.
The population growth was one of the main determinants in the development of
an agrarian community and its transformation into an induis trial community. Population
increase not only reduces the need of capital per production unit but also
enforces its creation. There is no evident correlation, especially negative, between
the growth of population and the rate of the income increase per capita. A population
increase is associated with a general decrease in social differences and increased
democratic tendencies in society. The assesment of the situation of children from bigger families is optimistic.
There are no firm grounds fear that their social mobility is less in comparison
with children from smaller families. The family of the atomic age has the prospects
of full development.
C. Clark's population theory has been verified by historical experience of
various continents. It is not a mask for economic or political interests or a fear
of loosing the demographic race of the West by the East or even a fear of
beeing absorbed by the coloured people. On the contrary it is characterized by
scientific and utilitarian umiversalism,, since it is to serve the development of
all nations. The theory is of a persoinalistic character in the sense that its author
emphasizes the primacy of man with his personal attributes: controlled behaviour
and activity and freedom of choice.
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Citation
Ruch Prawniczy, Ekonomiczny i Socjologiczny 30, 1968, z. 2, s. 167-187
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0035-9629