Final answer:
Luxury in the Behram and Malthus era was initially exclusive to the elite due to economic constraints under mercantilism. However, the Malthusian fear of overpopulation and insufficient resources was eventually challenged by improvements in living standards and access to goods. As society progressed, what were once luxuries became necessities for a growing middle class, transforming the concept of luxury.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of luxury during the Behram and Malthus era can be understood within the economic and social context of the time. Initially, luxury goods were accessible to only the nobility and the upper bourgeoisie due to limited societal wealth. The average European, like the peasant or shopkeeper, could afford little beyond necessities. The economic system of mercantilism contributed to this fixed wealth distribution, resulting in a stark divide where the royalty enjoyed opulence and others led frugal lives.
Malthus' observations highlighted a potentially dire situation, known as the Malthusian Trap, where population growth could outpace food production, potentially leading to widespread famine and maintaining subsistence living conditions. Yet, as the 19th century progressed, industrialization and economic growth began to shift this pattern. The emerging American economy particularly saw an increase in the standard of living for many workers, signified by Andrew Carnegie's remark that what was once luxury became a necessity, reflecting the increasing accessibility of goods once exclusive to the affluent.
In contrast to the dire predictions by Malthus, societal advancements led to improvements in food production and the standard of living that outstripped population growth. This led to the rise of a new social class, the middle class, although others fell into poverty. The Malthusian perspective was also controversially used to justify the poor conditions of the lower class, on the assumption that improving their lives would only exacerbate population growth and strain on resources. Despite these challenges, the period marked an undeniable shift in what constituted a luxury and who had access to it.