Final answer:
A neo-Malthusian perspective is most applicable in contexts of environmental scarcity and unsustainable population growth, such as areas with limited water or food production capacity facing overpopulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A neo-Malthusian perspective could most successfully explain population characteristics in contexts where environmental resources are scarce and population growth appears unsustainable. For instance, in regions where water or arable land is limited and population growth is rapid, neo-Malthusian theories regarding the relationship between population pressure and environmental degradation would be particularly relevant.
Examples of such contexts might include densely populated areas with limited fresh water supplies or regions where agricultural capacity is maxed out, leading to a strain on food production and potential for famine. The works of Thomas Malthus and his principle that population growth will inevitably collide with the fixed supply of resources, and later Paul Ehrlich's emphasis on the environment's role in sustaining populations, both provide a lens through which to view these issues.
Moreover, instances of overpopulation and environmental collapse could be examined from this perspective, as neo-Malthusian theories suggest a population's rapid growth leads to the overuse of resources like water and air, eventually resulting in environmental consequences that could limit further population growth.