An Essay on the Principle of Population, Volume II
Around 1796, Mr. Malthus, an English gentleman, had finished
reading a book that confidently predicted human life would continue
to grow richer, more comfortable and more secure, and that nothing
could stop the march of progress. He discussed this theme with his
son, Thomas, and Thomas ardently disagreed with both his father and
the book he had been reading, along with the entire idea of
unending human progress. Mr. Malthus suggested that he write down
his objections so that they could discuss them point-by-point. Not
long after, Thomas returned with a rather long essay. His father
was so impressed that he urged his son to have it published. And
so, in 1798, appeared An Essay on Population, by British political
economist and demographer THOMAS ROBERT MALTHUS (1766-1834). Though
it was attacked at the time and ridiculed for many years afterward,
it has remained one of the most influential works in the English
language on the general checks and balances of the world's
population and its necessary control. This is a replica of the 1826
sixth edition. Volume 2 includes: Book III: "Of the Different
Systems, Which Have Been Proposed or Have Prevailed in Society, As
They Affect the Evils Arising from The Principle of
Population" and Book IV: "Of our future Prospects
respecting the Removal or Mitigation of the Evils arising from the
Principle of Population."
