Discussion Questions

  • What key factors have contributed to the decline of population growth in many modern countries? What are the benefits and consequences of fertility declines?

  • Do populations stop growing when fertility declines to replacement rate fertility (a total fertility rate of 2.1)? Explain your answer.

  • As you saw in the chapter, urbanization continues toincrease across the globe. What draws populations to cities? What sociological factors point to this trend continuing?

  • What is the global consumer class? What are the global costs and benefits to the expansion of this group

  • Are economic growth and environmental protection irreconcilable values? Consider that you have read both in earlier chapters about economic growth and employment and in this chapter about environmental challenges such as climate change, and respond thoughtfully to the question.