Essay on the principle of Population and a summary view of the principle of Population

The Reverend Thomas Malthus's blunt identification of the ultimate demographic choice - starvation or restraint-has guaranteed his fame, even if his analysis of how population checks are always operating has often been misunderstood. This volume presents both the full text of Malthus's original polemic of 1798 and his final restatement of 1830, A Summary View, addressed in part to 'those who have not had leisure to read the whole work'.

Today there is a torrent of books asking whether we can prevent the Malthusian nightmare be coming a reality', and in his introduction Professor Flew (besides assessing the impact of Malthus on both Darwinism and Marxism) examines how far his argument does, and does not, stand up to the refutations that have rained upon it for a century and a half.

Pelican Classics The Pelican Classics is a series of the most influential books in philosophy, religion, science, history, politics, and economics. These new editions have been prepared for a modern audience, and each work is prefaced by an introduction which assesses its significance for its contemporaries, its effect on succeeding generations, and its relevance today.