The Political Economy of Malthus

Accuracy in Academia ^ | January 14, 2010 | Bethany Stotts

[bs9021]

The Political Economy of Malthus

Bethany Stotts, January 14, 2010

Those unfamiliar with the happenings at Modern Language Association (MLA) annual conventions might wonder why it is that Sarah Palin’s stance on sex education received mention during a panel on “Major Romantic Writers.” However, New York University Professor Maureen McLane considered the connection relevant enough to also reference Palin in her speech title.

“[Thomas R. Malthus] envisions a feedback loop so nearly immediate that, unless checks intervene, desire moves to sex moves to children in a figurative instant,” said the English professor during her lecture on “Malthus Our Contemporary? Parsons, Palins, and the Political Economy of Sex.” Prof. McLane continued,

“Foresight is the great mental condom, and here Malthus anticipates some aspects of the theological pedagogical complex known as abstinence-education—[and] here’s my actual nod to Sarah Palin—for certainly Malthus, like all good utilitarians, calls for a pedagogy of ‘true love waits’ for the 18th and early 19th century.”

That was about all she had to say on Alaska’s most famous governor, who apparently is such a draw that her name draws crowds even in nests of her critics.

As an Anglican clergyman, East India College professor Malthus was not likely to condone the use of contraception in his era, especially since the Anglican church didn’t issue a statement in favor of contraception until the 1930 Lambeth Conference—nearly a century after Malthus’ death. “Where there is clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, the method must be decided on Christian principles,” states the 1930 resolution.

Professor McLane also suggested that Malthus, like Sigmund Freud, can be “debiologized” and read as proposing “a theory of information rather than or in addition to one of bodies.” So much for authorial intent...

[SES1066]

Ambiguous, self-referential, coded and stratified terminology - check, check and double check. The MLA retains it’s reputation as a liberal deconstruction of what was once a good idea of seeing how language changes concepts and vice-versa. The EPA should be there to fine them for excess CO2 emissions as well as other gasses too.

[rbosque]

Amazing how Malthusian thinking has permeated through society.