Work Ester Boserup

1 work

1.1 scholarly contributions
1.2 boserupian theory
1.3 gender studies

work
scholarly contributions

according malthusian theory, size , growth of population depends on food supply , agricultural methods. in boserup’s theory, agricultural methods depend on size of population. in malthusian view, when food not sufficient everyone, excess population die. however, boserup argued in times of pressure, people find ways increase production of food increasing workforce, machinery, fertilizers, etc.

this graph shows how rate of food supply may vary never reaches carrying capacity, because every time gets near, there invention or development causes food supply increase.

although boserup regarded anti-malthusian, both insights , of malthus can comfortably combined within same general theoretical framework.

boserup argued when population density low enough allow it, land tends used intermittently, heavy reliance on fire clear fields, , fallowing restore fertility (often called slash , burn farming). numerous studies have shown such methods favorable in total workload , efficiency (output versus input). in boserup’s theory, when rising population density curtails use of fallowing (and therefore use of fire) fields moved towards annual cultivation. contending insufficiently fallowed , less fertile plots, covered grass or bushes rather forest, mandates expanded efforts @ fertilizing, field preparation, weed control, , irrigation. these changes induce agricultural innovation, increase marginal labour cost farmer well. higher rural population density, more hours farmer must work same amount of produce. therefore, workloads tend rise while efficiency drops. process of raising production @ cost of more work @ lower efficiency boserup describes agricultural intensification .

boserupian theory

although boserup s original theory highly simplified , generalized, proved instrumental in understanding agricultural patterns in developing countries. 1978, theory of agricultural change began reframed more generalized theory. field continued mature in relation population , environmental studies in developing countries. neo-boserupian theory continues generate controversy regards population density , sustainable agriculture.

gender studies

ester boserup contributed discourse surrounding gender , development practises 1970 work woman s role in economic development. work first investigation ever undertaken happens women in process of economic , social growth throughout third world . according foreword in 1989 edition swasti mitter, [boserup s] committed , scholarly work inspired un decade women between 1975 , 1985, , has encouraged aid agencies question assumption of gender neutrality in costs in benefits of development . boserup s text evaluated how work divided between men , women, types of jobs constituted productive work, , type of education women needed enhance development. text marked shift in women in development (wid) debates, because argued women s contributions, both domestic , in paid workforce, contributed national economies. many liberal feminists took boserup s analysis further argue costs of modern economic development shouldered women.