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Malthus and the Population Controversy 1803-1830

Published: 1994
DOI: 10.4324/9780415105033
Set ISBN: 9780415105033

Set Contents

Volume I. The Law of Population I
Volume II. The Law of Population II
Volume III. An Examination of Opinions maintained in the ‘Essay on the Principles of Population’ & Two Lectures on Population
Volume IV. Illustrations and Proofs of the Principle of Population & New Ideas on Population
Volume V. A Few Doubts As to the Correctness of some Opinions generally Entertained on the Subjects of Population and Political Economy
Volume VI. An Inquiry Concerning the Population of Nations: Containing A Refutation of Mr Malthus’s Essay on Population
Volume VII. An Inquiry into the Principle of Population
Volume VIII. The Principles of Population and Production
Volume IX. A Reply to the ‘Essay on Population’ by the Rev. T. R. Malthus In a series of Letters
Volume X. Remarks on A Late Publication & Effects of Civilization on the People in European States

The Principles of Population and Production

By
John Weyland

‘In the mean time I venture to suggest, as a further preparation of the reader’s mind for the fair discussion of them [Malthus’s doctrines], that the origin of what are conceived to be the mistakes and false reasonings, with respect to the principle of population, appears to be the assumption of a tendency to increase in the human species, the quickest that can be proved possible in any particular state of society, as that which is natural and theoretically possible in all; and the characterizing of every cause which tends to prevent such quickest possible rate, as checks to the natural and spontaneous tendency to increase; but as checks evidently insufficient to stem the progress of an overwhelming torrent.’

John Weyland

Volume Contents

Front Matter
Introduction By Chuhei Sugiyama; Andrew Pyle
The Principles of Population and Production, as they are Affected by the Progress of Society; with a View to Moral and Political Consequences.
- Prelims
- View of the Progress of Society, with its Effects on the Principle of Population.
  - I
    
    Introductory Remarks.
  - II
    
    Statement of the Opinions lately promulgated on the Principle of Population.
  - III
    
    Fundamental Propositions of this Treatise.
  - IV
    
    Of the natural Tendency of Population in the early Stages of Society.
  - V
    
    Of the Natural tendency of Population in the purely Agricultural State, and in the early Stages of the Commercial State of Society.
  - VI
    
    Of the natural Tendency of Population in the more advanced Stages of Society.
  - VII
    
    Of the natural Tendency of Population in the most advanced Stages of Society.
  - VIII
    
    Farther Illustrations of the Subjects treated in the two preceding Chapters.
  - IX
    
    Brief Recapitulation of the Contents of the preceding Book.
- Political Consequences Deducible From The Principles Maintained In This Treatise.
  - I
    
    Consequences to be deduced from the first Principle: viz. “That Population has a natural Tendency to keep within the Powers of the Soil to afford it Subsistence, in every Gradation through which Society passes.”
  - II
    
    Application of the Second Principle: viz. that the Tendency of Population to keep within the Powers of the Soil to afford Subsistence can never be destroyed, and can only be altered or diverted from its natural Course, so as to induce a mischievous Pressure of Population against the actual Supply of Food, by grossly impolitic Laws and Customs; either, 1st, accelerating the Progress of Population beyond its natural Rate; or 2dly, depressing Agriculture below its natural Standard.
  - III
    
    An Inquiry into the natural Order of Precedence between Population and the Production of Food.
  - IV
    
    Of the mischievous Pressure of Population caused by accelerating its Progress considerably beyond the natural Rate.
  - V
    
    Of the mischievous Pressure of Population, caused by depressing the productive Energies of the Soil considerably below its natural Powers.
  - VI
    
    An Inquiry into the Principle of Corn Laws.
  - VII
    
    An Inquiry into the Nature of Rent.
  - VIII
    
    An Inquiry into the Expenses and Profits of the Tenant.
  - IX
    
    Of the Wages of Labour.
  - X
    
    On the Remainder of a Tenant’s Expenses, including Taxation, and on the Profits of his Farm.
  - XI
    
    On the Causes of the present Depression, and of the Fluctuations which have lately taken place, in the Price of Agricultural Produce.
  - XII
    
    Recapitulation of the last Five Chapters, and the Conclusion deducible there from.
  - XIII
    
    Recapitulation and Conclusion of the Second Book.
- Moral Consequences Deducible from the Principles of this Treatise.
  - I
    
    Application of the third Principle—That the Tendency of Population will neither be materially altered nor diverted from its natural Course, (as exhibited in the foregoing Chapters,) in a Country whose Government, Laws, and Customs, are founded, in the main, upon Principles of Religion, Morality, rational Liberty, and Security of Person and Property, although these Principles may obtain only an imperfect Influence.
  - II
    
    Of the Nature and Extent of the Duty of Charity.
  - III
    
    On Economical Systems of Charity, by which the Poor assist in Providing for themselves.
  - IV
    
    General Conclusions with respect to the Exercise of Charity.
  - V
    
    Brief Recapitulation of the preceding Chapters upon Charity.
  - VI
    
    On the Propriety of affording a free and equal Option of Marriage to all Classes of the Community.
  - VII
    
    On the Influence of the Principle of Population, and of the Progress of Society, upon the individual Virtue and Happiness of the People.
  - VIII
    
    Application of the Fourth Principle, viz. that the salutary Tendency of Population will have its complete Operation, in proportion as Religion., Morality, rational Liberty, and Security of Property approach to the Attainment of a perfect Influence.
  - IX
    
    Brief Recapitulation of the Third Book.
  - X
    
    On the rational Hopes that may be entertained of a progressive Improvement in the Condition of Mankind.
  - XI
    
    General Recapitulation and Conclusion.