As if I needed more examples to confirm my "nerd" status, I will
confess that I really like today's topic. Demographics and population
issues are neat. Let's see if you agree...
Here's a population clock from the Population Coalition. Watch it change. Here's one from the US Census Bureau. If you'd like to compare the current population with that estimated for any day since 1970 (like your birth), check out this World Population Applet.
Here are the US Census Bureau's world population results for individual countries. You can also check out their world population projections for the future along with historical estimates.
The World's Most Populous Countries - This is a cartogram of world population. Here's another at The Population Map.
IDB Population Pyramids
are a cool resource from the US Census Bureau. Look at the way they
break down populations by age and gender. In addition, they project
changes out through 2050. Play with these a while. Some suggestions:
Gaza Strip, Germany, India, Rwanda and the United States. Let's look a little closer to home at some maps and data...
Here's a look at a US population cartogram, but it's mixed in with information from the 2004 Presidential election.
This is another US Census Bureau publication, "Population Projections for States by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1995 to 2025."
Scroll down to the "HIGHLIGHTS FROM PREFERRED SERIES" to find some
highlights. What conclusions can we draw from these trends?
Another way to look at our world... If we have time, let's take a look at Worldmapper. This site shows maps recently published in a book of the same name. Here's the index. (I know some of you have seen this, but the demographics information on here is pretty interesting.)
OK, that's enough high-tech nerdiness. We'll start drawing the
connections from population to policy issues. (Immigration is yet to
come...) I've got two articles for us to work with on population. Both
are from one of my favorite new websites, The Globalist.
21st Century Demographics: Highs and Lows Let's look at these and ponder their implications for the future.
Ready for some gloom and doom? Here's an excerpt from Philip Bobbit's book, The Shield of Achilles. He projects a possible future for Africa as a result of projected population growth on the continent. Africa's Plight - The 2050 Scenario. I'm curious as to your reactions to this excerpt.
Migration and Immigration
First, some definitions are probably in order. (No, I didn't just go to Wikipedia. I sought some more academic sources...)
migration: the movement of persons from one country or locality to another (Princeton)
illegal immigrant: Someone present in the country
without authorization. People considered illegal immigrants can enter
the United States in two ways: either by sneaking across the border, or
by entering the country legally under a temporary visa but then failing
to leave once their visa expires. (NPR website)
refugee: Any person who, owing to a well-founded
fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality,
membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is
outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such
fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country;
or who, not having a nationality and being outside of the country of
his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or,
owing to such fear, unwilling to return to it. (Source: UN Convention
Related to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol)
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Persons or
groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave
their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result
of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of
generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or man-made
disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State
border. (Source: "Guiding Principles on Internal Displacements" issued
by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in 1998)
asylum-seekers: Persons who file an application for
asylum in a country other than their own. They remain in the status of
asylum-seeker until their application is considered and adjudicated.
foreign migrant workers: Foreigners admitted by the
receiving State for the specific purpose of exercising an economic
activity remunerated from within the receiving country. Their length of
stay is usually restricted as is the type of employment they can hold.
trafficking: When a migrant is illegally recruited,
coerced and/or forcibly moved within national or across national
borders. Traffickers are those who transport migrants and profit
economically or otherwise from their relocation. (Source: International
Organization for Migration).
WORLDWIDE:
Here's the website for Refugees International. This set of Helpful Facts & Figures is also interesting.
Here's a comprehensive site from Human Rights Watch: Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons, and Asylum Seekers
In case you were wondering, it looks like we currently make
provisions for the admission of about 70,000 refugees a year into the
US. Specific quotas are set for different areas of the world, and
20,000 spots are held "in reserve."
UNITED STATES:
A New Century: Immigration and the US
is an extensive article that provides a good overview of new issues and
challenges in immigration policy that face the United States in the
21st Century.
Most estimates place the number of "undocumented" (illegal) immigrants in the country at any one time between 10 and 12 million.
NPR: The Immigration Debate is a very thorough website covering immigration and its status as a very important issue in American politics.
ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION:
1. China is experiencing an unprecedented internal migration.
Estimates are that between 300 and 500 million Chinese will leave rural
areas and migrate to the cities of China. What implications will these
have for China's internal stability? How should Beijing deal with this
movement?
2. By many estimates, the Palestinians make up one-quarter of the
world's refugees. Based on your understanding of their situation, how
does it compare with what you typically think of as a refugee issue? If
you see it as different, explain why. What should the international
community push for if they want to settle this issue?
3. How do you view the plights of refugees in comparison with those
of internally displaced peoples? Should the international community
treat them differently?
4. In the post-9/11 world, the United States has significantly
altered its position on many immigration issues. Which do you think is
the greater fear: allowing too much legal immigration or allowing too
little? Why?
5. Congress is considering some broad immigration reforms. Assume
that you are in charge. What would you do? In particular, what would
you do regarding the southern border and the status of the 10-12
million illegal immigrants already in the country?
6. What are your thoughts on the recent immigration law passed just over a year ago in Arizona?
HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Tuesday, May 24th
Finish
stuff up if you are behind. Remember that the two "21st Century
Take-Home" Essays are due Friday, May 27th. (You can also do a third
for extra credit if you would like.)
As I've mentioned, I'm fine
with receiving work up through the end of Memorial Day weekend, but
I'll only give you credit for things received after that as far as
needed to give you passing credit. (Talk to me IN ADVANCE if you think
there's a reason why you should be an exception to that policy.)
The quiz on the world figures will take place next Wednesday.