Unit 2 Lesson Population Policies

1. Unit 2 Lesson Population Policies

2. Student Will Be Able To… • Analyze the merits of population growth theories • Articulate the role of government policies with regards to population growth

3. Government Policies • Three Types: • 1) Expansive • 2) Eugenic • 3) Restrictive • Government can influence through behaviors

4. Expansive Policies • Expansive Population Policies: “encourage large families and raise the rate of natural increase” (Foulberg, 2012, p. 73 • Example: “Mother Heroine” medal in Soviet Union, given for raising more than 10 kids. • Russian version is the “Order of Parental Glory” which is seven children.

5. Restrictive Population Policies • Restrictive Population policies: “reduce the rate of natural increase”. • Birth Control • Prohibition of large families • China 1 child policy • Still so-so existence, but has been adapted to help address the high rate infanticide of females • India had forced sterilization • Election to offices required 2 or less children

6. Eugenic Population Policies • Eugenic population policies: “favor one racial or cultural sector of the population over others.” • Nazi Germany is the most famous historical example • Can be practiced covertly • Resource allocation • Cryptic laws (such as race laws for marriage)

7. State Policies are Limited • Not uncommon for a religion to focus on expansionist policies • In Contrast states might focus on constricting policies • Economic factors will motivate growth in developed nations

8. European Nations • Many have sought to encourage higher birth rates • Sweden has VERY generous maternity leave • Finland (Baby in a Box!!)

9. Thomas Malthus I’m a British Economist & Cleric. I was born in 1766-1834, which is only important to let you know I lived during England’s transition through Stage 2 of the Demographic Transition Model. I said that population growth would out strip food production. Here’s why…..

10. Malthus argues that population increased geometrically (1,2,4,8) whereas food supply increased arithmetically (1,2,3,4).

12. Malthus Thesis: Means of subsistence (no food  die) Population will increase with increase in the means of subsistence (lots of food  more babies) Checks that will inhibit the productive capacity of population are “private” (choose moral restraint such as celibacy & chastity) or “destructive” (war, poverty, pestilence, and famine).

14. Neo-Malthusians • Malthus’ predications did not come true • The population continued to increase • Malthus then faded away until 1950’s • Neo-Malthusians have similar/same beliefs regarding population • It’s still rising • Strongly advocate for population control • i.e.; birth control • Different from Malthus in that Malthus focused on moral restraint

15. Ester Boserup I’m the only well-known female theorist you will encounter in Human Geography. I died in 1999 and was born in Denmark. I’m not in your textbook either. I’m an economist and I really didn’t agree with Malthus or Neo-Malthusians. …because…

16. …humans will always innovate…