Study Guide: Population

 

Glossary:

fecundity exponential growth density
doubling time dependency theory infant mortality rate
demographic transition Malthusianism crude birthrate
demography zero population growth immigration
migration crude deathrate emigration
fertility air pollution carrying capacity
mortality rate eutrophication life expectancy

 

News:

 

Please Note:

Population density and consequences
Demographic transition (and U.S.) (and Third World)
Doubling time (and calculation)
Causes of population growth
Demographic transition (and stages)
World population (rough history)
Working women and population growth
Characteristics of future increase (Third World; Young; Urban; Poor)
Consequences of poverty

Names to Know:

T. Robert Malthus

 

Practice Quiz

 

Graphing the Problems:

General Population Trends:
Map: Total Fertility Rate
Map: Percent Urbanization
Age Patterns of Population, 1
Age Patterns of Population, 2
Impact of Historical Events on Population: Germany
Population Trends in Developed and Developing Countries, 1750-2100
World Population Growth Through History
How Fast is the World's Population Growing?
Distribution of the 100 Largest Cities
World Population Growth Over 2,000 Years
How Much Food Does the World Produce Per Person?
Growth Rates and Doubling Times for the World
World Population Growth
Third World:
Why the Poor Need Children
Population Pyramids of Mexico and the U.S.
Women's Education and Family Size in Selected Countries
Global Poverty Rates, 1987 and 1998
Immigration:
Immigrants to U.S. by Region of Origin, 1820-1895
Immigrants to U.S. by Region of Origin, 1920-1985
Factors in Migration
American Population:
Map: Americans on the Move, 1980-1990
Americans Age 65 and over for Selected Years
Urban Makeup of the U.S. Population, 1790-2010
Number and Percentages of Americans 65 and over for Selected Years
Population Projections of the United States
Net Migration Flows Between Regions, 1992-1993
Legal Immigration into the U.S., 1820-1992
Population 85 Years and Older, 1900-2050

Essay Questions:

  1. According to Bender and Smith (Population, Food, and Nutrition), why are there so many starving or malnourished people in the world when we produce so much food?
  2. What solution do Bender and Smith propose to expand agricultural production so that it keeps pace with population growth? Do you think these solutions are adequate?
  3. What are the mechanics behind exponential growth of population?
  4. Outline the demographic transition. What are some of the reasons why the death rate drops in Stage II of the demographic transition? Why are birthrates remaining high in many Third World countries?
  5. What bearing does rapid population growth have on international relations?
  6. Discuss the relationship between population and production.
  7. What are the characteristics of recent (and future) population growth?  How do these characteristics affect social problems?
  8. Your instructor (F. Elwell) claims that we can never truly solve the population problem.  Explain what he means by this.
  9. In accordance with Bradshaw and Wallace (An Unequal World), briefly describe three forms of inequality that exist around the world.  Of these forms of inequality, which one do you think should be addressed first?
  10. Go to the library or use the Internet to locate more recent data on population growth, inequality, and mortality.  How has this data changed in recent years?

 

Links:

T. Robert Malthus' Home Page

Office of Population Research

The Population Institute

 

Bibliography:

Brown, Lester R. Nicholas Lenssen, and Hal Kane.  1995.  Vital Signs:  The Trends That Are Shaping Our Future 1995-1996.  The WorldWatch Institute.

Brubaker, W. (ed.)  1989.  Immigration and the Politics of Citizenship in Europe and North America. Lanham, Md.: University Press of America.

Bulatao, R. and Lee, R. (eds)  1983. Determinants of Fertility in Developing Countries.  2 vols. New York: Academic Press.

Cardoso, F. H. and Faletto, E.  1979. Dependency and Development in Latin America.  Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press.

Hardoy, J. E. and Satterthwaite, D.  1989.  Squatter Citizen: Life in the Urban Third World. London: Earthscan Publications.

Heilbroner, Robert.  [1974] 1980.  An Inquiry Into the Human Prospect, Updated and Reconsidered for the 1980s.  New York:  W.W. Norton.

Shryrock, H. and Siegel, J.  1976.  The Methods and Materials of Demography.  New York: Academic Press.

Sklair, L.  1991.  Sociology of the Global System.  Hemel Hempstead: Harvester Wheatsheaf.

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Continuously updated. ©Frank Elwell