The Defense Implications of Demographic Trends
Abstract
Because of its perceived association with national power--economic, military, and even ideological--population has weighed heavily on the minds of state leaders throughout history. Obviously, key states--not only Iran and Russia but also Japan and those in Europe--are concerned with their demographic futures and the way population trends will affect their global positions. Because population plays such a prominent role in other states' planning, U.S. policymakers and planners must understand the effects of demographic trends and the way allies and rivals perceive these effects in order to develop coherent and successful strategies. Developments in three key demographic trends will characterize the next 10 to 20 years--the north-south divide in age structure, international migration, and urbanization. Key questions policymakers should consider in relation to these trends are: * How might demographic trends influence the security environment? * What challenges and opportunities for states may arise as these trends unfold? * What strategies and military capabilities will be necessary to operate in this environment? By answering these questions, planners can develop more robust strategies for the U.S. Government to plan to minimize risk and maximize opportunities associated with demographic trends. This article examines the defense policy implications of the three key demographic trends and their accompanying challenges to begin to address the above questions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA518272
Entities
People
- Jennifer D. Sciubba
Organizations
- National Defense University