Demographics and the Changing National Security Environment

Abstract

Demographic factors seldom directly cause conflict between nations. They can, however, exacerbate existing tensions and increase the risk of violent conflict. Long- term fertility trends, urbanization, migration, and changes in the ethnic composition and age profile of populations can influence the likelihood and nature of conflict among and within nations. Brian Nichiporuk explores these issues in The Security Dynamics of Demographic Factors, seeking to answer three questions in particular. First, which demographic trends pose international security concerns? Second, what are the security implications of these trends? Third, what should the United States do% in response to these issues? The future international security environment, of course, will be determined by complex interactions between geographical alignments, technologic%al advances, economic developments, environmental trends, and demographic factors. This research does not address all these complex interactions, but it does note the direction in which demographic factors can affect security issues.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA381414

Entities

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Demography
  • Economic Development
  • Environment
  • Foreign Aid
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • International Security
  • Military Personnel
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Security
  • United States
  • Urban Areas
  • Warfare
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Economics
  • International Relations and Conflict Resolution
  • Systems Analysis and Design