Unit 2: Asia Flashcards
What is demography
Study of populations. Demographers work to identify and respond to global demographic change.
Examples of trends, patterns
Birth rate, death rate, age, sex, migration, population density, population distribution
Thomas Malthus population theory
believed that people will increase the population if they can. the population will continue to increase until it can no longer support itself. the malthusian limit is the limit up to which the population can sustain itself. limit may increase over time, but the population will do the same to compensate and limit will eventually be reached.
William Catton population theory
believed environments had a carrying capacity: the number of people it can support indefinitely. if the CC is exceeded, the enivronment is damaged and the CC decreases. if carrying capacity is exceeded, the population will eventually return to a level that can be permanently supported, but it will be lower than before.
The cornucopian myth
this is when people think good fortune comes from earth’s limitless resources.
proof that overpopulation is a myth
- fertility rate needs to be 2 for world to sustain itself: many countries are under this
- not listed as one of the top five causes of hunger (poverty, conflict, natural disasters, over-exploitation of environment, poor agricultural infrastructure)
- reducing population will not magically spread food equally
what is the demographic transition model
The Demographic Transition Model (DTM) is based on historical population trends of two demographic characteristics – birth rate and death rate – to suggest that a country’s total population growth rate cycles through stages as that country develops economically
list and describe five stages of DTM
- pre-industrial stage: high birth rates due to lack of birth control and benefit of having more workers, high death rate due to disease or poor nutrition. most countries were here until 18th century. none are here currently.
- Transitional stage: population rises as death rates drop because of improved health and sanitation. Birth rate stays the same. examples: malawi, gambia and bangladesh
- Industrial stage: death rates drop, birth rates drop because of access to contraception and changing social trend towards smaller families.
- post-industrial stage: population stabilizes, birth and death rates are low and balance each other out.
- speculation (different theories)
- world population will be forced to stabilize
- population will start to decrease as birth rates drop below death rates
- population starts to grow again
info conveyed by population pyramids
- divided into 5-year age groups
- percentage of people in each age group
- percentage of males and females in each age group
- changes in birth rate, death rate, life expectancy, infant mortality
- effects of migration
- effects of government policies
examples of rating quality of life
life satisfaction, work-life balance, education, environment, health, safety, income, community
what is the anthropocence
the geological epoch dominated by humans
proof of anthropocence
greenhouse gas levels haven’t been this high for one million years, temperatures increasing, hole in ozone layer, losing biodiversity, deltas are sinking because of mining and damming, ocean acidification
proof against anthropocene
there isn’t any major evidence to show we have moved into a new epoch
demographic trap
when there is a high death rate and high birth rate. any economic growth is used on the growing population and there is nothing left to promote economic and social development necessary for post transition.
pro-natalism
growing families is good for carrying on family traditions and values, contributing to economy and workforce, adding followers to religion. helps to replenish population.