The Human Tide: A Review Essay
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 59,
no. 4, December 2021
(pp. 1322-39)
Abstract
The Human Tide: How Population Shaped the Modern World, by Paul Morland, argues for the importance of demography in both historical events and our current situation. Intended for a general audience, the book traces demographic developments from the late eighteenth century, arguing that the timing and pace of demographic change helps to explain why some countries became powerful and others did not. The author continues the story into the twentieth century, discussing the changes in age structure and internal ethno-religious balances that are consequences of demographic patterns. Many readers will find the questions and themes in The Human Tide interesting. Unfortunately, the book misrepresents some research findings and is confused about important demographic concepts. The Human Tide deals with fundamental changes in human society over the past two centuries, but for a clear account of those changes, readers will have to go elsewhere.Citation
Guinnane, Timothy W. 2021. "The Human Tide: A Review Essay." Journal of Economic Literature, 59 (4): 1322-39. DOI: 10.1257/jel.20201586Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I12 Health Behavior
- J11 Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
- J15 Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
- K37 Immigration Law
- N30 Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: General, International, or Comparative