Principles of Political Economy

London:, 1820. Some light foxing to the title page, otherwise a superior copy in the original papercovered boards with paper spine label. Malthus' Principles of Political Economy did not have its full impact on economic theory until it was revived by J.M. Keynes and P. Sraffa in the twentieth century. Math and technology aside, Malthus argues not that society tends toward cannibalistic starvation but that either society will "preventatively" control its population or nature will "correctively" reduce population"Several philosophers and speculatists had supposed that a certain state of society very different from any that has hitherto existed was in itself practicable; and that if it were realised, it would be productive of a far greater degree of human happiness than is compatible with the present institutions of society."21 Malthus' argument, as stated by Hazlitt, is that if man were to give up his existing social institutions then there would be as much bad as good come of it. "For, says Mr Malthus, though this improved state of society were actually realized, it could not possibly continue, but must soon terminate in a state of things pregnant with evils for more insupportable than any we at present endure...". First Edition. Contemporary Blue Cloth. Excellent. 8vo..