Population & MigrationPopulation & Migration

Population density per square kilometer

TodayToday

1. Population

2. Population movement: migration

PopulationPopulation

Recall from the last class:Recall from the last class:Some numbers AD 0 – AD 2011Some numbers AD 0 – AD 2011

YearYear Population (est.)Population (est.)

00

10001000

12501250

15001500

17501750

18001800

300,000,000300,000,000

310,000,000310,000,000

400,000,000400,000,000

500,000,000500,000,000

790,000,000790,000,000

980,000,000980,000,000

YearYear Population (est.)Population (est.)

18501850

19001900

19501950

20002000

20112011

1,260,000,0001,260,000,000

1,650,000,0001,650,000,000

2,520,000,0002,520,000,000

6,000,000,0006,000,000,000

7,000,000,0007,000,000,000

Thomas Malthus & Thomas Malthus & the “principle of population”the “principle of population”

A persistent & controversial theory of population

“(…) population, when left unchecked, increased in a geometrical ratio, and subsistence for man in an arithmetical ratio”

Malthus proven wrong (so far) industrialization of agriculture (1600s—) “Green Revolution” (1960s—) other technologies

Thomas Robert Malthus1766-1834

Some expressionsSome expressions

Demography: the study of population Birth rate: births per 1000 persons Mortality rate: deaths per 1000 persons Fertility rate: # of children per woman (replacement

rate = 2.1; current world average = 2.5) Demographic transition: going from high birth &

mortality rates to low birth & mortality rates

Source: World Health Organization, www.who.int

For the fertility For the fertility rate rankings of rate rankings of all countries all countries click here.click here.

For the fertility For the fertility rate rankings of rate rankings of all countries all countries click here.click here.

The population “explosion”The population “explosion”

20117 billion

How to address the issue:How to address the issue:Population policyPopulation policy

Is there even a problem? Malthus, 21st century style: neo-

Malthusianism What motives behind this discussion?

geopolitics and economics: population as a weapon & a resource

culture & ethnicity women’s bodies & women’s rights

Population data by country and by yearfrom the U.S. Census Bureau

Population data by country and by yearfrom the U.S. Census Bureau

How to address the issue:How to address the issue:The “biotech revolution”The “biotech revolution”

A purported solution to food scarcity

More crops & more resistant crops

The safety factor

The intellectual property factor

How to address the issue:How to address the issue:Consumption, againConsumption, again

Too many people or too much consumption?

The “ecological footprint”

Resources & pollution

North American & European lifestyle for 7000,000,000 people ?

Technology & recycling?

How to address the issue:How to address the issue:Women’s reproductive rightsWomen’s reproductive rights

A sensitive topic sexuality male-female relations a kind of interference

A fundamental social change

The most effective solution

Broaching reproduction from a health point of view, the case of Afghanistan. See also this article from the New York Times.

Broaching reproduction from a health point of view, the case of Afghanistan. See also this article from the New York Times.

Population movement: migrationPopulation movement: migration

MigrationMigration

Migration: movement of population * emigration immigration

Other statuses landed immigrants, Green Card holders (US) “guest workers” non-documented, undocumented, illegal

immigrants, illegal aliens nomadic peoples

Voluntary migrationVoluntary migration

Economic reasonsEconomic reasons Poverty … but not life-

threatening “Economic refugees” The largest migration

in history…

Political reasonsPolitical reasons No direct threat … but generally

unfavourable context Opportunities for

political participation Immigration policy as

diplomacy

Involuntary migrationInvoluntary migration

Asylum-seekers*

War situations Threat to life Inhuman treatment A permanent move A common debate:

asylum seeker vs. “economic refugees”

Refugees*

War situations Natural catastrophes Threats to life Inhuman conditions A temporary move Do not confuse

“refugees” & “displaced persons”

* These are legal terms in international law

Citizenship: Citizenship: TheThe “right to have rights” “right to have rights”

Two ways to be born a citizen

Acquiring citizenship: naturalization

Citizenship is a legal status, not an identity

SoilSoil

BloodBlood NaturalizationNaturalization

The decision to admit The decision to admit (or not) immigrants(or not) immigrants

National interest

Not everyone (peoples & governments) wants immigrants

Choosing immigrants educated migrants immigrant investors family reunification guest workers / temporary foreign workers boosting population numbers

Sept. 22, 2010Sept. 22, 2010CBC’s The CurrentCBC’s The Currentsegment about immigration segment about immigration in Canada in Canada

Immigration controversiesImmigration controversies

Response to levels of immigration

The transformation of society “ghettoization”, integration & assimilation national culture & values

Cultural & religious accommodations

On Sunday, March 14, 2010, the CBC radio show Cross-Country Checkup asked the On Sunday, March 14, 2010, the CBC radio show Cross-Country Checkup asked the question: “question: “As Canadian multiculturalism nears 40 years of age, can Canada avoid the As Canadian multiculturalism nears 40 years of age, can Canada avoid the ethnic tensions plaguing other countries?” (streaming)ethnic tensions plaguing other countries?” (streaming)

On Sunday, March 14, 2010, the CBC radio show Cross-Country Checkup asked the On Sunday, March 14, 2010, the CBC radio show Cross-Country Checkup asked the question: “question: “As Canadian multiculturalism nears 40 years of age, can Canada avoid the As Canadian multiculturalism nears 40 years of age, can Canada avoid the ethnic tensions plaguing other countries?” (streaming)ethnic tensions plaguing other countries?” (streaming)

A changing national identityA changing national identity

Recall: characteristics of the nation-state

National culture & national identity

National identities are social constructs homogeneity is a myth national identity need to be reiterated

The identity-citizenship disconnect

ConclusionConclusion

Significant population increases

And considerable population movements

Posing policy challenges to governments

And ethical dilemmas for everyone

History not necessarily a good guide