Chapter 16 Population and Global Inequality

Global Population Increase Demography – the study of human population Factors Affecting Population Growth –Fertility –Mortality Population numbers –In global terms, U.S. population growth is low –World population is expected to reach between 9 and 10 billion by Such an increase threatens to overwhelm many poor societies, where roughly 95% of the increase will take place

Population growth Population growth – over 6 billion people on the planet Zero population growth – level of reproduction that maintains population at a steady rate

Malthusian Theory Rapid population growth leads to social chaos Population increases exponentially (1,2,4,8,16, etc) while food increases arithmetically (1,2,3,4), leading to catastrophic starvation Why not? –Industrial revolution –Agricultural technology

Demographic Transition Theory Population patterns reflect a society’s level of technological development –Stage 1 – pre-industrial – high birth, high death (Steady) –Stage 2 – onset of industrial – high birth, lower death (Rapid growth) –Stage 3 – industrial – declining birth, low death (Slower growth) –Stage 4 – postindustrial – low birth, steady death (Steady)

Global Inequality High-income countries – rich, industrialized nations –About 18% of world population receives 79% of all income Middle-income countries – some industrialization but primarily agriculture –About 70% live in middle-income countries, receiving about 20% if all income Low-income countries – primarily agrarian with little industry –Remaining 12% live in low-income countries and earn only 1% of global income

World Poverty Problem Relative poverty refers to a lack of resources that most people take for granted. Absolute poverty is a lack of resources that is life-threatening. –Worldwide, about 1 billion at risk because of poor nutrition (1/6) 15 million people each year die from various causes brought by hunger and lack of adequate nutrition

Slavery As many as 200 million people (about 3% of humanity) live in conditions that can be described as slavery –Chattel slavery –Child slavery –Debt slavery –Servile form of marriage

Theoretical Analysis (Structural- Functional) Modernization theory - Model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of technological and cultural differences among nations. - Technology raises standard of living - Tradition greatest barrier to economic development 1.Rich nations play important roles in economic development. 2.Helping control population 3.Increasing food production 4.Providing foreign aid

Theoretical Analysis (Social- Conflict) World System theory/Dependency theory- a model of economic development that explains global inequality in terms of the historical exploitation of poor societies by rich ones –Economic success of rich societies achieved at the expense of poor ones –Colonialism – process by which some nations enrich themselves through political and economic control of other nations –Neocolonialism – a new form of economic exploitation that involves the operation of multinational corporations rather than direct control by foreign governments