Deborah Valenze

Deborah Valenze, Ann Whitney Olin Professor at Barnard College, presents a radical reinterpretation of Thomas Malthus and his theories on scarcity. She uncovers Malthus's narrow views on food production and how they contributed to colonial agricultural models. Valenze explores the overlooked subsistence practices like hunting and gardening, reshaping our understanding of human livelihoods. Additionally, she critiques the biases in historical narratives regarding indigenous cultures and discusses the cultural significance of bread in societal hierarchies.

Deborah Valenze, Ann Whitney Olin Professor of History at Barnard College, challenges Thomas Malthus's theories on population and food scarcity. She uncovers the diverse practices of subsistence that Malthus overlooked, such as hunting and gathering. Valenze critiques the colonial implications of Malthus's work, emphasizing biases against indigenous practices. She argues for a broader understanding of human livelihoods, suggesting that the misinterpretations of scarcity continue to influence modern economic thought and responses to poverty.