Make up class2. Introduction to Sociology/Demography


1. Summary
Demography is the study of human population dynamics. It encompasses the study of the size, structure and distribution of populations, and how populations change over time due to births, deaths, migration, and aging. Demographic analysis can relate to whole societies or to smaller groups defined by criteria such as education, religion, or ethnicity. Before proposing complex theories to explain sociological phenomena, especially at the macro and/or societal levels, sociologists should first turn to demographic indicators for possible explanations. Demographic analysis is a powerful tool that can explain a number of sociological phenomena.

2. Interesting
In an overpopulated society, disease and starvation are said to be a natural means of reducing the population. Economic development is also said to be a natural way to reduce birthrates.

3. Discussion
Early in the 19th century, Thomas Malthus argued in An Essay on the Principle of Population that, if left unrestricted, human populations would continue to grow until they would become too large to be supported by the food grown on available agricultural land. What do you think of this argument?

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