An Invitation to Environmental Sociology, 5th Edition

Bell and Ashwood

Invitation to Environmental Sociology 5th

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Chapter 5: Population and Development
Test Bank

NOTE: the correct answer to each Multiple Choice, True/False, Short Answer, and
Essay Questions are italicized.

Multiple Choice: Choose the BEST answer from the four foils provided.

1. According to Malthus, population grows: (p. 132)

a) incrementally, in “fits and starts.”
b) at a steady, measured pace.
c) arithmetically.
d) exponentially.

2. Currently the rate of world population growth: (p. 136)

a) is climbing exponentially.
b) is climbing arithmetically.
c) is falling gradually.
d) is plummeting as a result of development and birth control technologies.

3. It took more than 100 years for the world’s population to double from 1 billion to 2
billion. How long did it take for the world’s population to increase from 4 billion to 5
billion? (p. 136)
a) Fewer than 15 years as the result of exponential growth
b) Half the time of the first doubling, about 50 years
c) More than 100 years; 1 billion people are added each 100 years
d) The world’s population has not yet reached 5 billion

4. What percentage of the world’s current population growth is taking place in poor
countries? (p. 136)
a) Only about 10%, because infant mortality rates are so high in these countries
b) About 25% due mostly to immigration patterns from poor countries to rich
countries
c) About half, nearly 50%
d) Over 90%

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5. A constant rate of growth means not only increasing effects, but compounding
effects, say some theorists. This Malthusian argument applies to which of the following?
(p. 154)
a) Population
b) Production
c) Consumption
d) All of the above

6. Standard provisions of structural adjustment programs include all of the following

EXCEPT: (p.142)
a) reduction of education and public services.
b) increased subsidies.
c) liberalization of trade.
d) emphasis on export crops.

7. Amartya Sen argues that famine is primarily the result of: (p. 146)
a) absolute food shortages.
b) inability to access available food.
b) poorly organized food aid programs.
c) natural disasters.

8. Which of the following does Sen claim will NOT insure food availability? (p. 146)
a) Dependable food imports
b) Land reform
c) Steady employment
d) Democracy

9. According to the principle of substitutability: (p. 149)

a) the price of basic commodities has risen because they cannot be substituted by
alternatives.
b) the five metals used in Simons’ and Ehrlich’s wager have since been substituted
for others.
c) human intellect devises creative ways to substitute new resources to solve
resource scarcity.
d) people are substitutable; those who die of starvation and disease will always be
replaced by new births that result from increased population.

10. What is the best contraceptive according to the slogan of the 1974 World Population
Conference in Bucharest? (p. 155)
a) Development
b) Abstinence
c) Education
d) Abortion

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11. Unless checked, population growth tends to continue until it runs up against
environmental limits causing poverty, hunger, misery and resource scarcity—eventually
leading to a population crash. This view was proponed by which thinker? (p. 132)
a) Thomas Malthus
b) Frances Moore Lappé
c) Paul Ehrlich
d) Julian Simon

12. According to Simon, the solution to resource scarcity is to increase the population
because it will produce more brainpower and labor to work out technological solutions
to scarcity, termed the… (p. 148)
a) Dependable argument of labor
b) Entitlement system of population growth
c) Cornucopian argument about technology
d) Simonion view of development

13. Which of the following events might break down food entitlement systems? (p. 145)
a) Natural disasters
b) War
c) Displacement of land-holders
d) All of the above

14. What does Amartya Sen mean by “entitlements” to food? (p. 145)
a) Subsistence farmers are more entitled to food supplements than are those who
grow cash crops.
b) Women are particularly entitled to nourishment.
c) International governance is responsible for providing food to all people.
d) Famines are not caused by lack of available food, but rather by a lack of access to
food.

15. Why do critics refer to structural adjustment as “shock therapy?” (p. 142)
a) Because of the sudden bottom-up nature of coups
b) Because the IMF severely reduces social supports to supposedly develop a free
market in poor countries
c) Because of the role that electricity plays in developing poor nations
d) All of the above

16. How might population controls contradict religious values? (p. 154)
a) Celibacy of the preisthood
b) Concern of population conflicts
c) Church acceptance of contraception
d) Sanctity of life arguments

17. As a result of massive development efforts since World War II, the gap between the
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rich and poor has: (p. 154)

a) dramatically declined.
b) narrowed.
c) increased.
d) dramatically expanded.

18. According to Frances Moore Lappé, there___ correlation between population

density and hunger. (p. 145)
a) is little, if any
b) is a significant positive
c) is a declining
d) is a significant negative

True or False: Please indicate whether the following statements are true or false by
circling the correct answer. Note to Instructors: If preparing an exam for electronic
grading, these instructions should be modified to instruct students how to fill in their
bubble sheets. For example, “Please indicate whether the following statements are true
or false by blackening the correct oval, 1 or A for True, 2 or B for False.”

19. True False A country with a 3% rate of growth for one hundred years would
experience a 3% increase in population each century. (p. 134)

20. True False A drop in fertility means that fewer children are born each year.
(p. 134)

21. True False Population momentum results in an almost immediate slowdown

in population growth. (p. 132)

22. True False A sharp decline in population will mean a sharp decline in
negative environmental impacts. (p. 132)

23. True False The world produces enough grain to feed each individual person a
minimum diet of 2,000 calories per day. 2,923 calories are
produced, but currently 37-40% goes to feed livestock. (p. 146)

24. True False The World Bank is a not-for-profit charitable institution created to
reduce the debt of poor nations. (p. 140)

25. True False According to Frances Moore Lappé, there is a direct correlation
between population density and hunger. (p. 146)

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26. True False According to Frances Moore Lappé, there is a direct correlation
between the amount of cropland per person in a country and
hunger. (p. 146)

27. True False According to Frances Moore Lappé, there is little if any correlation
between the amount of cropland per person in a country and
hunger. (p. 146)

28. True False In general, women do as much agricultural labor as men in the
world. (p. 155)

29. True False Like women in the developed world, women in less developed
countries tend to live longer than their male counterparts.

Short Answer: Provide a brief response, not to exceed one paragraph.

30. When the author states that Malthus presented his theory in a determinist way,
what does this mean for the relationship between population and environment? (p.
131)
ANSWER: Malthus does not recognize other factors and makes population deterministic.
For example, poverty may produce population growth because parents need a large
family for labor, rather than population growth producing poverty.

31. Despite the decline in the rate of world population growth, population continues to
grow rapidly. Explain why this might be the case. (p. 131)
ANSWER: There is a distinction between a population’s rate of growth and its level of
fertility—the average number of children born to women in a population. A drop in
fertility does not mean fewer numbers of children are born because earlier high levels of
growth often result in a population with a large proportion of young adults in the prime
of their childbearing years.

32. Briefly discuss the differences between “dialogic relationships” and “determinist
relationships.” (p. 131)
ANSWER: Dialogic relationships look for balanced understandings of many different
factors, rather than being deterministic with one explanation.

33. Why might poor countries submit to structural adjustment rather than forego World
Bank and IMF loans? (p. 142)
ANSWER: Without such loans, countries cannot attract private foreign capital necessary
for development.

34. Explain three events that led to the IMF food riots of the 1980s. (p. 141)

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ANSWER: The wealthy appropriated land for export crops, poor people were displaced to
marginal lands, deforestation and land degradation were rampant, less local food was
produced, increasing poverty made food more expensive and harder to buy, raw
materials were exported at low prices, value-added imports increased costs without the
benefit of local value-added enterprises, trade liberalization institutionalized low-wage
jobs, MNCs evaded environmental and labor laws.

35. Cite three ways that rapid population growth presents organization problems for
cities and urban areas. (p. 145)
ANSWER: Low tax revenues are insufficient for maintenance of public services; health
impacts rob resources and energy; difficult to attract private investment; low pay of
service providers can lead to government corruption, unregulated or ill-enforced
environmental protection.

36. Explain the three stages of demographic transition as theorized by Frank W.

Notestein. (p. 154)
ANSWER: One: In premodern times, countries experienced high birthrates and morality
rates that cancelled out each other; two: With the beginning of modernization new
scientific discoveries lead to improved health and an increased food supply. Morality
levels fall; three: Social norms and social institutions catch up with the fact that children
are likely to survive, leading to a drop in birthrate.

37. The author cites four conditions that raise doubt about the applicability of the
demographic transition to less developed countries: Describe and briefly discuss one of
these conditions. (p. 154)
ANSWER: 1) higher initial growth rates, 2) poverty resulting in reliance on children as a
labor supply, 3) development as economic and cultural imperialism, and 4) unsustainable
levels of consumption.

38. The use of birth control in family planning is sometimes a controversial aspect of
population control. Discuss at least one reason for the controversy as described in the
text. (p. 131)
ANSWER: The Vatican has stance against ‘artificial’ contraception.

39. The text cites an example of coerced reproduction in Romania. List some of the
outcomes of Romania’s illegalization of birth control. (p. 160)
ANSWER: Women had to undergo gynecological exams every three months to see if they
were conforming with the law; birth rates initially doubled; then maternal morality
doubled too because of 85 percent of deaths were due to abortion; cervical cancer rose
because women did not want to go to the doctor; and infant mortality went up because
parents abused and abandoned unwanted babies.

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Essay: Provide a comprehensive response, not to exceed two pages. Several questions
have more than one part to them; be sure to respond to each part of the question.

40. Lappé and Schurman argue that poor people have a strong incentive to have lots of
children. Explain. (p. 146)
ANSWER: They use a power structures perspective to explain how poor people regard
children as an economic resource. By working in the fields and around the home, children
free up adults and elder siblings to earn outside income.

41. Defend or critique Julian Simon’s argument that people are the “ultimate resource”
and therefore the solution to resource scarcity is actually to increase population. (p.
148)
ANSWER: Simon neglected issues of social inequality. Although the lives of many have
improved, the percentage of the world’s population who live in poverty and face hunger,
hasn’t declined much. The sheer number living in poverty has doubled. His argument
that more people means more brainpower does to explain how innovativeness depends
on social circumstances that encourage creative thinking, not simply more people. His
optimism about technology is also questionable. Sometimes it is helpful, like reduce the
use of fossil fuel; at other times it creates unintended damages, like HCFCs.

42. Defend or critique Julian Simons’ principle of substitutability with regard to land,
habitat, water, and air. (p. 142)
ANSWER: He argues that when we are exposed to scarcity, humans apply their collective
brainpower and find new sources for scarce resources and new techniques for extracting
them. He disputes the significance of acid rain, global warming, the ozone hole, and
species loss arguing that these issues are exaggerated. He ignores examples of failed
technology like the green revolution that has resulted in much water pollution and loss
of habitat.

43. The author argues that “contrary to stereotypes about the greater physical
capabilities of men, women in fact do the bulk of the world’s physical work.” Do you
agree or disagree? Defend your argument. (p. 157)
ANSWER: (Agree) Rich and poor women work more than men. In wealthy countries, it
averages about 20 minutes more, in developing countries, it averages 57 minutes more.
(Disagree) Men do more dangerous work; men bring in more money.

44. Describe the role social inequality plays in population growth. (p. 157)
ANSWER: Placing all the emphasis of environmental problems on birth control means
that the implicit claim is that poor people need to have less children. And since most
poor countries have people of color, this means that people of color are those who are
demanded to have less children. This ignores the notion that poverty means that people
need to have more children and rather suggests that having more children produces
poverty.

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45. Was Malthus right? Cite material from readings and lecture to justify your answer
sociologically. (p. 154)
ANSWER: (Right) Increased populations are correlated with increased environmental
impacts; the world is finite. (Wrong) World systems theory; core and periphery;
substitutability principle; demographic transition theory.

46. Explain the “structural adjustment trap” cited in the text. What conditions lead to
the trap, and what consequences does it have on developing countries? (p. 142)
ANSWER: Structural adjustment referred to a comprehensive program of radical ‘free
market’ changes, such as reducing public services, liberalizing trade, emphasizing export
crops, eliminating subsidies, and curbing inflation through high interest rates and
reduced wages. This result in a short of shock therapy that has devastated the marginal
people of nearly every country that has been forced to adhere to structural adjustments.

47. Some researchers argue that there is enough food produced to feed everyone in the
world, but problems with access to and distribution of food lead to hunger. Do you
agree or disagree? Defend your answer, and cite Frances Moore Lappe and Amartya
Sen in your argument. (p. 154)
ANSWER: (Agree) Lappe shows that there is little correlation between population density
and hunger. She argues the world has plenty of food; critiques the use of grains for
livestock. Sen argues that it is a lack of access to food, something she calls entitlements,
and gives the Irish Potato Famine as an example. The country was exporting wheat,
while people were starving. (Disagree) Sen and Lappe do not explain how some regions
are more fertile than others and how this can impact availability of food; Does not
explain other famines, such as those in Rwanda or the massive imports of food, for
example, that is necessary to sustain Greece.

Identification: Please identify the following key terms, thinkers, and texts. The best
identification answers will: 1) provide a succinct definition, explanation, or discussion of
the term, thinker, or text; 2) give an example or elaboration; 3) where relevant, note the
thinker with whom the term or text is associated, or the terms or texts with which the
thinker is associated; and 4) note any closely related concepts or critiques. Items with
asterisks (*) indicate those for which the thinker should be noted.

Key Terms modernization theory*

environmental determinism Bretton Woods
exponential growth* International Monetary Fund (IMF)
fertility International Bank for Reconstruction
population momentum and Development (World Bank)
inequality critique of Malthus Bretton Woods institutions
technologic critique of Malthus multilateral banks
demographic critique of Malthus structural adjustment programs (SAP)
demographic competition* demand management
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“shock therapy” Talcott Parsons

IMF food riots John Maynard Keynes
Ithaca Hours André Gundar Frank
power structures perspective* Amartya Sen
entitlements to food* Frances Moore Lappé
ultimate resource* Rachel Schurman
substitutability* Julian Simon
Boserup effect* Paul Ehrlich
Green Revolution Ester Boserup
development as the best contraceptive James Scott
women in development (WID) Frank W. Notestein
patriarchy Wolfgang Sachs
feminization of labor Helena Norberg-Hodge
women as the new proletariat Sylvia Walby
National Population Policy in India Valentine Moghadam
environmental determinism Indira Gandhi
environmental agency Paul Ehrlich and Anne Ehrlich
cornucopian vision of technological Fred Cottrel
change
Key Texts
Key Thinkers “An Essay on the Principle of
Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi Population” (Malthus)
Thomas Malthus The Population Bomb (Ehrlich)
Friedrich Engels Women’s Role in Economic
Dorothy Stein Development (Boserup)

Matching: Please match the term, thinker, and/or text in column A with its complement
or correspondent in column B, by placing the appropriate identification letter/number in
the space provided. (You may use Fanswers more than once.) Note to Instructors:
Scramble the items in column B before administering an exam. Also, if preparing an
exam for electronic grading, the above instructions should be modified to instruct
students how to fill in their bubble sheets.

Column A Column B

A “Essay on the Principle of Population” ____ Thomas Malthus

B Demographic competition ____ Dorothy Stein
C Modernization theory ____ Talcott Parsons
D Bretton Woods ____ John Maynard Keynes
E World Bank ____ International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development
F IMF and World Bank ____ Bretton Woods Institutions
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G Julian Simon ____ Substitutability principle

H Frank W. Notestein ____ Demographic transition theory
I Ester Boserup ____ Women’s Role in Economic
Development
J Theories of Technological Change ____ Ester Boserup
K Anti-Malthusian Critics ____ Frances Moore Lappé & Amartya
Sen
L Neo-Malthusian Biologist ____ Paul Ehrlich
M The Population Bomb ____ Paul Ehrlich
N The Population Explosion ____ Paul Ehrlich & Anne Ehrlich
O Environmental determinism ____ The view that the environment
controls our lives and there is little
we can do about it.
P Cornucopian view of social change ____ Julian Simon
Q “Shock therapy” ____ Structural adjustment programs

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