Population Control and Sustainability: It's the Same Old Song But With a Different Meaning

Abstract

The population problem is as hard to define as it is to solve. This article discusses the history and problems of population regulation and analyzes the conflicts between present approaches to population policy and environmental sustainability. After describing the history and problems of population regulation theory, the article discusses various sustainability theories and their relationship to population policies. A human rights model is presented as a goal for future policy development, incorporating both human rights and sustainability values. By incorporating both human rights and sustainability values, this model illustrates how both the environment and individual rights can be protected within population control policies.

Keywords: population, population regulation, population policy, population control, environment, sustainability, human rights

JEL Classification: K1, K2, K3, K4