THOMAS MALTHUS 
An essay on the principle of population [EPUB ebook] 

This work has been recognized as the most influential work of his time. A key part of the book has been devoted to what is now known as the law of the people of the Malthus thorn. This theory suggested that rising population rates would contribute to a growing supply of work that would inevitably reduce wages. In essence, Malthus feared that the continued growth of the population would lend themselves to poverty and famine.