Question

In the Malthusian model, suppose that the quantity of land increases. Using diagrams, determine what effects this has in the long-run steady state and explain your results.

Option 1:
The long-run steady state remains unchanged, as land quantity does not impact population dynamics.

Option 2:
The long-run steady state experiences a population decline due to increased land, reducing competition for resources.

Option 3:
The long-run steady state sees a population increase as more land leads to better resource availability.

Option 4:
The long-run steady state reaches equilibrium with a stabilized population growth, balancing the effects of increased land.

Answer 1

The long-run steady state in the Malthusian model would see a population increase due to more land leading to better resource availability, but eventually, the population will grow to levels that only the available resources can sustain, reaching a new Malthusian trap.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Malthusian model, if the quantity of land increases, the immediate effect would be an increase in the food production capability of a society. However, according to Malthus's theory, population tends to grow geometrically while food supply can only grow arithmetically, even with additional land. Therefore, in the long-run steady state, the population would increase until the subsistence level is reached, where the food produced is just enough to support the population.

Thus, initially, there may be an improved standard of living, but eventually, the population would grow to match the increased food production until the Malthusian trap is reached again.