Marx’s Theory of Population
ABIGAIL JACKSON
What is Marxist’s theory of population?
Why was Marx so opposed to the Malthusian theory?
Objectives
What are the criticism of the Marxist perspective of the
population?
Marxist theory and The Caribbean
Marx’s Perspective on Population
In a capitalist society. It is important for a population to grow to ensure the capitalistic
system and a form a reserve army of workers. As population increase, so does the available
labour force. This means that there are many individuals competing for limited jobs. He
argued that population problems are cause by capitalism. Capitalist benefits from this
competition for scares resources since in such environment people are willing to take low
wages.
He argued that there is no such problem of overpopulation. Overpopulation can be solved
by distribution of people. Problems in the society is not caused by overpopulation but by
exploitation.
As in the case of poorer countries, famine and poverty is of result of domination from
wealthier countries who stresses on their resources and therefore not people exceeding the
population limit.
In Marx’s view poverty is necessary as it would spread out and ultimately destroy
capitalism. For Marx dream for a communism society.
Difference between the Malthusian and
Marxists theory on population
Marx agreed with Malthus that rapid population growth can cause poverty.
However, there are many difference between the two theories:
Marx opposed Malthus's position that population surpasses recourses and believed that was only evident in
capitalist societies. ( because in capitalist society person have more than needed).
Marx was of the view that capitalism and not over population causes social ills.
Malthus stressed the effect of overpopulation while Marx stress underproduction and felt that uneven
distribution of resources cause poverty.
Whereas Malthus focused on individual actions and endeavoured to find solution to population growth in
moral restraint. Marx focused on the economic structure of society and sought the solution in a socialist
ideology. Eventually if population does exceed the resources of the society that would be good because it
would expose the evil of capitalism and lead to a socialism.
Criticism of the Marxist’s Perspective of
Population
Marx was too optimistic about the ability of society to provide for a large population.
Countries such as China and Indian with rapid population growths have opted to
implement population control methods due to the problems of such large populations.
Marxist failed to outline any guidelines as to low socialist states would deal with
population explosion since only capitalist states have population problems. Such socialist
states as Cuba, China and Russia have experienced much population problems over the
years.
Cuba, the only socialist state in the Caribbean region, is currently experiencing rapid
population ageing due to increased family planning patterns and emigration of the young.
Sadly, the Marxist’s perspective offers no guidelines to assist these states.
Marxist’s Theory and The Caribbean
The Marxist has taken into consideration the effect of dependency on population growth.
Beckford (1972), Best and Levitt (156) and Girvan's(1980) have written extensively in the
dependency of the Caribbean society on imported food, capital and welfare from
developed nations It is evident that growing dependency has often led to increase growth
in our poverty and thus population. ( We rely on theses developed countries which causes
a formed a poverty and affect our population transactions but if anything comes up
example COVID-19 we will be faced with issues like famine and starvation because of our
constant reliance on these developed countries )
• The economic changes has played a vital role in population transition in the region. Stone (1972) and
Gordon (1983) mentioned that the Caribbean region has undergone an economic transformation moving
from an agricultural economy to one that is industrial and manufacturing. However, these changes have
played a significant role in population decline in the Caribbean region. Hence, Marx’s position would
not be applied because they are of the view that capitalism is the direct cause of population growth.
• Marx and Engel felt that only a capitalist state experiences population problem. He offered no
explanations as to why,
