Final answer:
Overpopulation is the term used to describe the inability of a society to regulate its population's wants and needs, leading to weak social ties, lack of social control, and strain on governance and resources. Factors contributing to overpopulation include resource immobility, externalities, and inefficiencies in the economy. Historical perspectives and modern economic globalization show the complexity of managing population demands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the inability of a society to regulate its population's wants and needs is known as overpopulation. This phenomenon occurs when the population size becomes too large to be supported by the available resources without causing damage to the environment. Overpopulation can lead to weak social ties and a lack of social control, meaning society has lost the capacity to enforce norms with some groups. Thus, systems of governance, efficiency in resource utilization, and economic structures like traditional, command, or market-oriented economies, often become strained or ineffective.
Several factors can contribute to this condition, including the inability of resources (labor, capital, entrepreneurs) to move to other markets, or externalities (unintended side-effects) that are either positive or negative. In times of overpopulation, social structures may fail to cope with the population's demand, and an economy may become wasteful in using its resources and less responsive to the people's needs. Despite historical fears of a 'Malthusian catastrophe,' modern experts suggest that the problem may not be overpopulation itself but rather issues with resource distribution and utilization.
Examples of Governance and Economic Impact
Throughout history, various forms of government have evolved to handle changing populations and mindsets. In Western societies, democracy is often regarded as a stable form of government, while in contrast, anarchy, or the absence of organized government, is typically seen as less desirable. Furthermore, population dynamics have been central to economic growth, with concerns shifting from overpopulation and resource depletion to depopulation and economic stagnation due to an aging workforce.
Economic globalization has led to interdependent businesses and workers from different economies, influenced by growth in commercial and financial networks across national borders. This interdependence is a response to, and a factor influencing, the methods societies use to organize and manage their economies.