1. How does the “demographic dividend” differ from the “finan¬cial time bomb”? Overall, is the United States in a period of a demographic dividend or a financial time bomb? Why? 

2. According to demographic transition theory, what role do technological advances play in changing demographics? What role does development play in reducing fertility and the death rate? 

3. How have the “push” and “pull” factors associated with migration changed in the global age? 

4. Distinguish among refugees, asylum seekers, labor migrants, and undocumented immigrants. 

5. What are the arguments against international migration? How might you counter those arguments? What are some arguments for international migration? 

6. Discuss the contradiction between the two roles played by the world’s cities—as the sites of some of the world’s worst problems and as the sites of some of its greatest achievements. 

7. What makes cities cultural and consumption centers? How is a “fantasy city” different from a traditional urban area? In what ways are fantasy cities related to processes of Americanization? 

8. How can sustainable development create a more ecologi¬cally friendly city? How would this development differ from that of the last 200 years? 

9. What are the world’s major environmental problems? Are there technological fixes that can deal with our environ¬mental problems? If so, what are they?

10. Do you think that globalization is ultimately a threat or a boon to sustainability? What current evidence would you cite to support your position?