Population Pressure, Surplus Population, Nature, and Capitalist Development Coursework

May 28, 2022 by Essay Writer

Introduction

The appropriation of resources has been a major concern in the global society as population continues to increase. The surplus population has exerted pressure on the limited resources, which compromises the ability of the future generation to meet their needs. According to Martinez-Alier, Kallis, Mariana, and Temper, although a section of scholars believe that the debate about population growth and resource appropriation has been polarized, capitalism as a socio-economic and political system has created an environment of greed.1 The rich and powerful are increasing their wealth without any regard to the poor.

While a section of the society has more than they can consume in several generations, others are starving because of a system that favours only a section of the society. Environmentalists and scientists have warned against consequences of global warming and it is evident that the political class is not giving proper attention to the need of solving this problem effectively. In this paper, the focus is to discuss the issue of population growth, appropriation of resources, agricultural performance, and environmental conservation.

The Polarization of the Debate about Resource Appropriation

Capitalism has gained a near universal acceptance as the most practical economic system in the global society. In this system, Moore explains that the government allows the private sector to control industry and trade based on specific rules and regulations set by the state.2 In this system, an individual’s wealth is based on how effectively they can earn it in a competitive environment. It means that those who are controlling means of production have a greater capacity to amass greater wealth than those who do not. As a result, a system is created where the rich get to amass more wealth while the poor become more impoverished.3

The debate about resource allocation has been highly polarizing. In fact, some scholars and economists have criticized capitalism in its entirety, arguing that it is not a sustainable system in the current economy where resources are becoming increasingly limited. Moore argues that although capitalism may be unfair in terms of appropriation of resources, a better alternative is yet to be discovered.4

Communism has proven to be a less effective socio-political and economic system. Its main proponents, Russia and China, have abandoned it and are currently embracing capitalism as a means of spurring their economic growth. The few countries such as Cuba and North Korea, which are still practicing this economic system, are slowly moving towards capitalism. The level of impoverishment in these countries further confirms that it is not a practical system in the modern society. Deane, Johnston, and Parkhurst admit that although capitalism is the most desirable economic system in the modern society, especially as the global population continues to increase, there is need to make adjustments to eliminate absolute poverty.5 As the rich are allowed space to create more wealth, a deliberate effort should be put in place to protect the poor and ensure that they can work and earn their living.

Ways of Looking At the Relationship between Population, Nature, and Capitalist Development

It is important to look at the relationship that exists between population, nature, and capitalistic development. According to Deane, Johnston, Parkhurst, sometimes the nature of the relationship among these variables are exaggerated because of personal or organizational interests of their proponents.6 However, it is a basic economic principle that an unplanned increase in the population tend exert disproportionate pressure on the economic resources. It explains why poverty is more prevalent in poor countries, which are also struggling with the problem of unplanned increase in population. Deane, Johnston, Parkhurst explain that an increase in population may not necessarily have a negative impact on the economy.7

The size of the population in a country defines the size of its labour force. However, the labour force should be equipped with adequate skills that make it possible to understand how to exploit the available natural resources.

The capitalistic development of a nation depends on its population. China and India are currently some of the largest economies in the world because of their massive population. However, Moore warns that a growth in population can only translate to an increase on capitalistic development when people are empowered.8 The large population can only translate into a large market if individuals are economically empowered enough to purchase what the market offers. Looking at the relationship between population and capitalistic development from an economic perspective would require an individual to understand how the population growth can translate a country’s economic prosperity.

However, taking a negative approach of looking at that relationship, especially when one focuses on environmental degradation and depletion of economic resources, limits one’s capacity to understand the benefits of population growth.

How Capital Accumulation Leads To Certain Forms of Appropriation of Nature

In a capitalistic economy, the primary aim of anyone involved in economic activities is to generate wealth. However, it is necessary to note that capital accumulation can lead to certain forms of nature appropriation that one cannot simply analyse through the nexus between population and land productivity. Sometimes it may require a further analysis that includes valuation of nature and the social productivity of labourers and peasant communities. It is true that an increase in a country’s population increases pressure on land. Wealth accumulation often results in an environment where a section of the society has more than they need while another struggle to get basics.

Sometimes it is common to find cases where the rich acquire land for production, displacing the poor in the process.9 Although some economists and human rights activists may criticize such capitalistic practices, it helps when the rich can use their resources to enhance production. Introducing mechanization and other technological practices helps in improving economic yields while land as a factor of production remains constant. Improved productivity will benefit everyone, as it will lower the cost of basic needs, especially food, within the country.

Capital accumulation may lead to disproportionate appropriation of nature in favour of the rich, but one should not take such a narrow approach when conducting such an analysis. One should not ignore the social aspect of such an eventuality. Such a process also leads to increased productivity, which means that the government is capable of collecting more resources that it can use for socio-economic development.

When the resources are used to develop roads, build houses for the homeless, and provide foods and healthcare services to the less fortunate, the positive effect will be felt by everyone. The poor will have access to basic needs thanks to the increased government expenditure. Owners of means of production will have a pool of healthy and empowered workers to facilitate production. Companies will also enjoy having an empowered market where people can afford to purchase what they are offering.

Sustainable Utilization of Natural Resources to Meet Growing Demands

Sustainable utilization of natural resources helps in ensuring that the current generation can use the available resources without compromising on the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. Global leaders have made an effort to come up with policies that can be implemented at a national level but with the impact of limiting or reversing climate change and global warming. However, studies have shown that such policies can only be successful in cases where there is goodwill among the political leaders of various nations around the world. According to Martinez-Alier, Kallis, Mariana, and Temper, it is necessary to emphasize the need to utilize renewable resources, especially in the energy sector.10

The current generation can use sun, solar, and hydro energy without compromising on the ability of the future generation to have access to the same. As the demand for these resources continue to increase because of the population increase, changing the exploitation strategies and focusing more on renewable sources may help promote sustainability.

Conclusion

The global population is on the rise and one of the challenges it presents in the current capitalistic system of economy is resource allocation. The current system of economy allows the rich to use their economic power to enrich themselves further while the poor struggle to meet their basic needs. There is also the challenge of degrading the environment through overexploitation of the natural resources and poor disposal of various forms of industrial waste. The paper has addressed the concept of population pressure, its effect in a capitalistic environment, and the way it can be used to promote economic growth.

Bibliography

Deane, K., Johnston, D., and Parkhurst, J., ‘Migration as a Tool in Development Policy: Caution Ahead?’, Journal of Development Studies, vol. 49, no. 1, 2016, pp. 272-292.

Martinez-Alier, Joan, et al., ‘Social embolism, ecological distribution conflict, and valuation languages’, Ecological Economics, vol. 20, no. 1, 2009, pp. 58-87.

Moore J., ‘The End of the Road? Agricultural Revolutions in the Capitalist World-Ecology, 1450–2010’, Journal of Agrarian Change, vol. 10, no. 3, 2010, pp. 389-413.

Footnotes

  1. K. Deane, D. Johnston, and J. Parkhurst, ‘Migration as a Tool in Development Policy: Caution Ahead?’ Journal of Development Studies, vol. 49, no. 1, 2016, p. 272.
  2. J. Moore, ‘The End of the Road? Agricultural Revolutions in the Capitalist World-Ecology, 1450–2010’, Journal of Agrarian Change, vol. 10, no. 3, 2010, p. 389.
  3. Ibid, p. 391.
  4. Ibid, p. 395.
  5. K. Deane, D. Johnston, and J. Parkhurst, ‘Migration as a Tool in Development Policy: Caution Ahead?’ Journal of Development Studies, vol. 49, no. 1, 2016, p. 274.
  6. Ibid, p. 278.
  7. Ibid, p. 275.
  8. J. Moore, ‘The End of the Road? Agricultural Revolutions in the Capitalist World-Ecology, 1450–2010’, Journal of Agrarian Change, vol. 10, no. 3, 2010, p. 393.
  9. Ibid, p. 396.
  10. J. Martinez-Alier, et al., ‘Social embolism, ecological distribution conflict, and valuation languages’, Ecological Economics, vol. 20, no. 1, 2009, p. 58.
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