From Malthus to far-right terrorists: an explorative study on the uses and abuses of the ‘overpopulation’ discourse
By: Matteo Modena
| ARTICLE INFO: Volume: 06 Issue: 02:2020 ISSN: 2459-2943 DOI: 10.18680/hss.2020.0027 Pages: 167-188 Lic.: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 |
KEYWORDS: overpopulation Malthusianism eco-fascism |
ABSTRACT
In the 19th century, Thomas Malthus introduced the concept of human overpopulation into the scientific demographic debate, establishing the myth of population growth causing famine and starvation. The concept has recently resurfaced in international discussions on climate change and world leaders’ speeches. Still, it will likely come into the spotlight in the coming years of the climate crisis, mass displacement, and migration. Our research examines literary and visual texts from the early to the most recent debates, declarations, and uses. Our focus is primarily on the current academic and eco-fascist uses of the concept.
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