Week Five: Birth and Society

(Essay Questions)

Dudley Kirk. 1996. Demographic transition theory.

• Describe the sequence of changes in birth and death rates in a "classic" demographic transition. What objections have been raised to this picture as a valid historical generalization?
• How are modernization and westernization different, according to Caldwell? What does westernization have to do with intergenerational wealth flows, and how does this affect fertility?
• Explain what societal changes Caldwell holds responsible for reversing wealth flows in human societies. How and why does he think this reversal affects fertility?

Mikko Myrskyla, Hans-Peter Kohler & Fracesco Billari. 2009. Advances in development reverse fertility declines.

• During the 20th century what pattern emerged relating fertility rates to social and economic development?
• At what critical level of the human development index does the relation to fertility rates appear to change in recent years?
• What is the new pattern relating fertility to development above the critical level identified by Myrskyla? Name at least three countries that fit into this new pattern.