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Thomas Malthus is widely recognized for his theory that population growth would inevitably outpace food production. He articulated this idea in his seminal work, "An Essay on the Principle of Population," published in 1798. Malthus argued that while population tends to increase geometrically, food production can only grow arithmetically due to limited resources and agricultural constraints. This mismatch, he argued, would lead to inevitable shortages, famine, and societal struggle as the population continued to rise.

Malthus's insights laid the groundwork for understanding ecological and economic dynamics concerning human populations and resource availability. His theory not only influenced contemporary thought but has also been revisited in modern discussions about sustainability and environmental concerns.

The other theorists listed—Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and John Stuart Mill—focused primarily on economic principles, including the workings of markets, labor, and the distribution of wealth, rather than the specific relationship between population growth and food resources.