A defuser's guide to the population explosion

THIS is a well-written and important book. We hope it will significantly increase the recognition of the central role of demography in human affairs. Peoplequake covers the gamut from Thomas Malthus’s correct fundamental assumption (human numbers can always outstrip resources) and his, even for his day, questionable ethics (aid should not be given to the poor), to fears that the greying of Europe will precipitate the end of western civilisation. The book discusses the impact of the green revolution, massive migration, the Chinese one-child family programme, declining birth rates in the developing world, the rise of death rates in Russia, and more. Even those of…