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Why Demography Matters

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Why Demography Matters explores how population trends shape our societies and personal lives, emphasising that demography is not destiny. The authors challenge pessimistic and simplistic views, highlighting the complexity behind global changes such as declining birth rates, stabilising populations, increased migration, and ageing. Through a thoughtful analysis, the book encourages readers to see demographic shifts as opportunities rather than threats and calls for a reevaluation of how we understand and apply demographic knowledge.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for students, educators, policy makers, and anyone interested in population studies, social sciences, and understanding the nuanced forces shaping our world. It appeals to readers seeking a balanced, informed perspective on demographic trends beyond alarmist narratives.

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Demography is not destiny. As Giacomo Casanova explained over two centuries ago: 'There is no such thing as destiny. We ourselves shape our own lives. ' Today we are shaping them and our societies more than ever before.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Demography is not destiny. As Giacomo Casanova explained over two centuries ago: 'There is no such thing as destiny. We ourselves shape our own lives.'

Today we are shaping them and our societies more than ever before. Globally, we have never had fewer children per adult: our population is about to stabilise, though we do not know when or at what number, or what will happen after that. It will be the result of billions of very private decisions influenced in turn by multiple events and policies, some more unpredictable than others. More people are moving further around the world than ever before: we too often see that as frightening, rather than as indicating greater freedom. Similarly, we too often lament greater ageing, rather than recognising it as a tremendous human achievement with numerous benefits to which we must adapt.

Demography comes to the fore most positively when we see that we have choices, when we understand variation and when we are not deterministic in our prescriptions. The study of demography has for too long been dominated by pessimism and inhuman, simplistic accounting. As this fascinating and persuasive overview demonstrates, how we understand our demography needs to change again.

Why Demography Matters by Danny Dorling and Stuart Gietel-Basten delves into these insights, urging a shift in understanding that can empower society.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Richard Wilkinson praises the book for offering hope against common fears of overpopulation and ageing, noting how the authors reveal many predictions to be inaccurate. Amy Glasmeier commends the critical and measured approach, valuing its rejection of fearmongering and emphasis on the political nature of demographic work. The book is recognised for its clear-sighted and encyclopedic insight into demographics as a key driver of global change.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780745698410

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 24 November 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 31.0mm

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 231.0mm

Weight: 408g

Pages: 224

About the Author

Danny Dorling is Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography at the University of Oxford. His website can be found at www.dannydorling.org.
Stuart Gietel-Basten is Associate Professor ofΒ Social Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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