How has the world population changed over time? And has its geography changed? Are modern demographic trends important to understand wealth inequality? Is there a correlation between population trends and the divide between North and South or Developed and Under-developed world? What are the problems caused by shrinking population in Europe viz-a-viz a demographic explosion in Africa? Is state intervention a meaningful tool to shape demography?

1. Key Readings

Please read all key readings (notice that because of the size of files, they have been divided into different parts)

Jeffrey D. Sachs, Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet (London: Penguin, 2008), pp. 1-53 and 159-182.* Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5

R. Kunzig, "Population Seven Billion," National Geographic, January 2011, pp. 42-63.*

Massimo Livi Bacci, A Concise History of World Population (2012 and previous editions), chs. 4 ‘Toward Order and Efficiency’, 5 ‘The Population of Poor Countries’ and 6 ‘The Future’. online books via library

'A Slow-burning Fuse', The Economist, 27th June 2009.

2. Fact Finding

Read (and examine) the online Handout

3. Quiz

Complete the ‘Population Quiz’ (part of the handout). You might wish to exchange information on the Course Forum.