Abstract
Malthusian models occupy a central position in the interpretation and analysis of long-term economic and demographic change in preindustrial societies. The models are logically plausible and attractive, but ultimately they will have to be confronted with systematic evidence before being accepted. In this paper results are reported that cast some doubt on these models in the case of prefamine Ireland. The results indicate that the evidence supporting Malthusian views is not strong, and that the modus operandi of the nexus between economic and demographic variables is probably far more complex than is implied in standard Malthusian models.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 159-166 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | The Journal of Economic History |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 1980 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- History
- Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous)
- Economics and Econometrics
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Malthusian Models and Irish History. / Mokyr, Joel.
In: The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 40, No. 1, 01.01.1980, p. 159-166.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Malthusian Models and Irish History
AU - Mokyr, Joel
PY - 1980/1/1
Y1 - 1980/1/1
N2 - Malthusian models occupy a central position in the interpretation and analysis of long-term economic and demographic change in preindustrial societies. The models are logically plausible and attractive, but ultimately they will have to be confronted with systematic evidence before being accepted. In this paper results are reported that cast some doubt on these models in the case of prefamine Ireland. The results indicate that the evidence supporting Malthusian views is not strong, and that the modus operandi of the nexus between economic and demographic variables is probably far more complex than is implied in standard Malthusian models.
AB - Malthusian models occupy a central position in the interpretation and analysis of long-term economic and demographic change in preindustrial societies. The models are logically plausible and attractive, but ultimately they will have to be confronted with systematic evidence before being accepted. In this paper results are reported that cast some doubt on these models in the case of prefamine Ireland. The results indicate that the evidence supporting Malthusian views is not strong, and that the modus operandi of the nexus between economic and demographic variables is probably far more complex than is implied in standard Malthusian models.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0019173111&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0022050700104681
DO - 10.1017/S0022050700104681
M3 - Article
VL - 40
SP - 159
EP - 166
JO - Journal of Economic History
JF - Journal of Economic History
SN - 0022-0507
IS - 1
ER -