Books

Third edition, the first edition to be published in two octavo volumes, the format which was to remain the standard in Malthus's lifetime. This third edition has important alterations and additions, particularly the appendix, in which Malthus replied to some of his many critics; it follows the first edition of 1798 in a single octavo volume, and the expanded second edition in quarto in 1803. Malthus's treatise on population is one of the most important and influential works in the history of economic thought, and the foundation text of modern demography. "For today's readers, living in a post-Malthus era, the world's population problems are well known and serious, but no longer sensational. It is difficult therefore to appreciate the radical and controversial impact made by the Essay at the time of publication. It challenged the conventional notion that population growth is an unmixed blessing. It discussed prostitution, contraception, and other sexual matters. And it gave vivid descriptions of the horrendous consequences of overpopulation and of the brutal means by which populations are checked" (ODNB). Despite its unpopularity with liberal critics, Malthus's principle of population became accepted as a central tenet of classical political economy and Charles Darwin acknowledged Malthus's influence in the development of his theory of natural selection. Einaudi 3689; Goldsmiths' 19210; Kress B5067. Two vols, octavo (209 x 128 mm). Recent half calf, red morocco label, marbled sides. Bound without half-titles. A few contemporary annotations in vol. II. Repairs to closed tears at head of A7 and A8 into text without loss, slight sporadic spotting, light dampstaining at lower outer corner of vol. II towards rear. A very good copy.

The book addresses the relationship between population growth and food supply. Malthus argued that population tends to grow exponentially, while food production increases only arithmetically, meaning that population growth would eventually outpace the ability to produce enough food. He suggested that without checks, such as famine, disease, or war, overpopulation would lead to widespread poverty and suffering. Malthus identified two types of checks on population growth: "positive checks," which raise the death rate (such as famine and disease), and "preventive checks," which reduce the birth rate (such as moral restraint, later marriage, or celibacy). He believed that without preventive measures, human misery was inevitable. Malthus’s work had a lasting influence on economic and demographic theories, and his ideas about population pressure also influenced Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Although some of his predictions were mitigated by technological advances in agriculture, his work remains important in discussions of overpopulation and resource sustainability.