Power to the population : the political consequences and causes of demographic changes

"Demographic changes directly affect political and socioeconomic dynamics. Whether they are the nationalities of migrating refugees, the percentage of women in the workforce, or aging as a phenomenon (population decline, age of marriage, number of children, or the resources of youth), demographics can change the political dynamics of a country, creating in some cases increased freedoms but also potentially causing conflict or civil war. Power to the Population is a comprehensive guide to predicting and evaluating different possible futures for humanity. These differing scenarios are of particular importance to decision makers, and Tadeusz Kugler focuses on the optimism of what can be created by and for the population. The book investigates the dynamic relationship between political choices and changing populations. Kugler explores how government policies seemingly focused on localized power and economic development profoundly shape the demographic makeup on local and global scales. The demographic future of a population-not only regarding numbers but also in its diversity and how historically marginalized communities are undermined-is not merely about one place, time, or people. Demography has the potential to change the economic and political future of the world"-- Provided by publisher Cover 1 Half-title 2 Title 6 Copyright 7 Dedication 8 Contents 10 List of Figures and Tables 12 Acknowledgments 14 Introduction Why Population and Politics Matter 18 Chapter 1: Demography, People, and Nations 24 Chapter 2: Feast or Famine: Investigating How Politics Creates Demography and the Future of Humanity 44 Chapter 3: The Outcomes of Youthful and Aging Populations 58 Chapter 4: Movement: Forced and Voluntary Immigration 84 Chapter 5: Recovery from Violence and the Horrors of War 116 Chapter 6: Nationalism, Equality, Groups, and Demography 134 Chapter 7: Foreign Policy in an Era of Demographic Change 149 Chapter 8: The United States, China, and Immigration versus Population Control 177 Chapter 9: Challenges of Future Demographic Changes 193 Notes 200 Works Cited 216 Index 228