Population explosion: the making of a vision

Newsl Womens Glob Netw Reprod Rights. 1994 Jan-Mar:(45):9-10.

Abstract

The authors of the publication "Population Explosion: the Making of a Vision" state: "During our research in the US our goal was to find out how the problem of 'overpopulation' had become, or better said, been made universal following the Second World War. How was it possible that the view become consensus that population size is determined by state or internationally controlled economic variables and that the future of this planet depended upon an optimal control? Finally, how did contraception or the decision how many children a women bears become a political question? Better said, how did they become part of US foreign policy? Through our research we became acquainted with the development of the contraception of 'overpopulation,' from myth to scientific fact, from the perspective of those who were responsible for this evolution." This publication also includes the authors' conclusions of their study and 32 documents consulted by them. It is an interesting vision on how consensus is created.

MeSH terms

  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Demography
  • Population
  • Population Density*
  • Population Dynamics
  • Public Policy*