Which statement best reflects Boserup's critique of Malthus?

Which statement best reflects Boserup's critique of Malthus?

• A. Population growth will outpace food supply
• B. Food production remains constant with population growth
• C. People innovate to increase food supply as population grows
• D. Government intervention is the only way to avert food shortages

Answer: (C)

Boserup’s critique centers on how population pressure can drive innovation and intensification in farming, increasing food production as needed. She argued that as more people require food, farmers adopt new techniques, tools, and practices—such as intensified farming, better irrigation, crop rotations, and higher-yield varieties—so the supply can grow to meet demand rather than inevitably lag behind. This contrasts with the idea that population will outstrip food supply unless external controls intervene. The other statements don’t fit Boserup’s view: claiming population will outrun food mirrors Malthus’s prediction; saying food production stays constant ignores farmers’ capacity to adapt; and saying only government action can avert shortages overlooks how market-driven innovation can also expand output.

Boserup’s critique centers on how population pressure can drive innovation and intensification in farming, increasing food production as needed. She argued that as more people require food, farmers adopt new techniques, tools, and practices—such as intensified farming, better irrigation, crop rotations, and higher-yield varieties—so the supply can grow to meet demand rather than inevitably lag behind. This contrasts with the idea that population will outstrip food supply unless external controls intervene.

The other statements don’t fit Boserup’s view: claiming population will outrun food mirrors Malthus’s prediction; saying food production stays constant ignores farmers’ capacity to adapt; and saying only government action can avert shortages overlooks how market-driven innovation can also expand output.