The Demographic Transition

Stages, Patterns, and Economic Implications

Jean-Claude Chesnais author Philip Kreager translator Elizabeth Kreager translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:17th Dec '92

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Demographic Transition cover

This book examines the basic mechanisms behind the modernization of demographic behaviour. The author has marshalled an impressive amount of statistical material relating to 67 countries, half of them less developed, and covering the period 1720-1984. The whole sweep of western demographic experience is dealt with comprehensively and impartially, and though technically sophisticated, the book also covers issues of interpretation and analysis. The author shows how mortality decrease necessarily precedes fertility decline and how so-called exceptions are simply false exceptions; how the decline of fertility is dependent on important and manifold social transformations; and reveals the strong connections between international migration and the course of demographic transition. Chesnais demonstrates that less developed countries are following the same general patterns as MDCs and argues that the theory of demographic transition must include the effect of population changes on the economic progress of society.

`elegantly translated by Elizabeth and Philip Kreager ... the verdict on The Demographic Transition must be that it is an impressive landmark on the road to an uncertain destination ... Chesnais' Demographic Transition is an impressive achievement which will form an invaluable work of reference' John Landers, Times Literary Supplement
`The assembly of data for 67 populations, including many 1dc's, is clearly a valuable contribution ... This book will be useful as a reference volume and a supplementary text on a central subject in the study of population. Its translation into English is very welcome.' European Journal of Population
'It is difficult to overstate the value of this massively documented and intellectually challenging book ... His emphasis on the need to reconstruct the routes of cultural diffusion as an aid to understanding the geography of the transition is likely to prove particularly rewarding. Chesnais provides a powerful and seemingly persuasive counter to those who see rapid population growth as a more or less persistent force for ill.' N.L. Tranter, University of Stirling, Economic History Society 1995
Has been translated very successfully from French ... where data are available, it provides rich time series data on the trends it covers ... It is certainly a rich source and will retain this reference status for many years to come ... This is an impressive work. * The Economic Journal *
It has been translated very successfully from French...where data are available, it provides rich time series data on the trends it covers. It is certainly a rich source and will retain this reference status for many years to come. This is an impressive work. * The Economic Journal *

ISBN: 9780198286592

Dimensions: 242mm x 160mm x 41mm

Weight: 1071g

646 pages