The Great Population Spike And After

Features

Description

This book presents the views of a well known economist on what problems and prospects the world is likely to face in the year 2050. The central argument of the author is that the population of the world, after a growth from 1176 to 2050 will achieve zero growth by the year 2100. Furthermore, the population of the developing nations will have begun to decline.

Review: Walt Rostow is always brilliant in discerning the 'big picture.' The Great Population Spike and After is no exception, arguing that the social and economic tides unleashed by below-replacement fertility will force countries to confront the necessity of inventing forms of political economy never before devised.

An impressive tour de force in the scope and reach of its policy-relevant analyses, this book makes it clear that the United States abandons a world leadership role at its own peril. --Frank D. Bean, University of Texas at Austin Let me just say a few words about W. W. Rostow and his place in American scholarship.

He is a unique figure, not only for his contributions to knowledge and understanding, but for his practical experience in matters of policy and government. I know of no one else--in the social sciences, at least--who has managed to take years away from the university and return to serious research and writing.

Not memoirs, but independent scholarship. This marriage shows in his power of analysis and imagination in this new book. His personal awareness and experience of the problems that have confronted us in the second half of the 20th century enrich and legitimate his vision of things to come. My only concern is that he is an indefatigable optimist, but since that is what it takes to face hard and difficult things, I can forgive his rosy hopes and confidence.

All in all, we are richer for Walt Rostow's presence on the intellectual scene. What a warrior! --David S. Landes, Harvard University (Emeritus)