Application of Malthusian and Marxian theory to the Caribbean

Some critics contend that Malthus' theory of population can be used to explain the dynamics of
the relationship between population and resources in less developed territories. Since the
Caribbean is considered to be less developed in comparison to other nation-states eg the US,
France, England etc... we can say to the Malthusian theory of population can be applied to
explain population-resource issues in the Caribbean, however it is limited in its scope and
explanations, due to the diversity of the individual Caribbean territories themselves.

Marx's theory of population, tends to be a bit more plausible in explaining the relationship
between population and available resources, with respect to the Caribbean. From a Historical
perspective, given the fact of plantation slavery and colonialism, the Marxist theory of
population provides a better explanation of population in the Caribbean when compared with
Malthus's theory of population. However, note that Marx's theory of population was developed to
explain the dynamics of European population and resources. Therefore it is also limited in its
scope to give a comprehensive explanation of population- resource issues in the Caribbean.

Finally remember that both of these theories are dated and population and resource issues have
changed significantly over the last century, therefore, the best suited theories for explaining
Caribbean population issues would tend to take, time and individual territorial factors as well as
history into account. In this case perhaps the demographic transition theory, may be even more
suited (however this theory also has various short-comings) to explain Caribbean population
issues. See George Roberts Demographic Transition Theory of the Caribbean - this is the more
precise of all the other theories mentioned!