Population, poverty and social transformation: an alternative paradigm
Pethe, V.P.
Artha Vijnana Journal of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics Poona 34(2): 200-208
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-3559 PMID: 12286105 Document Number: 329939
The Government of India's policy concerning the dual problem of population and poverty is based on the Western neo-Malthusian model, which regards overpopulation as the cause of poverty. The article argues against this view, seeing this model as totally inappropriate for conditions in India. A new, alternative paradigm is suggested. Its central thesis is that population growth is accompanied by social problems such as unemployment, ill-health, crime etc. Poverty is their 'immediate' determinant. Inequality, consumerism, military expenditure, defective planning etc., are their 'intermediate' determinants. Non-egalitarian social structures, a vicious human psyche and spiritual degradation are their 'ultimate' determinants. This new paradigm has implications for policy and programme logistics that are fundamentally different from official policy.