title: Population growth:  ecological success or development handicap?
abstract: "This paper considers whether biological criteria of reproductive success are useful in considering the causes and consequences of...human population growth.  Particular attention is given to the relative rates of growth of different human groups.  The paper considers mechanisms of human population regulation, their classification as 'demographic regimes', and the relative importance of 'positive' and 'preventive' checks.  It concludes that while in general rapid population growth now usually confers disadvantages in terms of human welfare, more traditional interpretations may still be appropriate in view of, for example, the increasing political and social influence enjoyed by rapidly increasing minorities compared with other populations in the same society which have lower rates of reproduction."
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coleman
mesh_terms: D001695:Biology; D003469:Culture; D003710:Demography; D004467:Economics; D005006:Ethnicity; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005298:Fertility; D008913:Minority Groups; D011057:Politics; D011153:Population; D011154:Population Characteristics; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011158:Population Growth; D011639:Public Opinion; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012946:Social Welfare
keywords: Biological Characteristics; Biology; Cultural Background; Demographic Factors; Differential Fertility; Economic Factors; Ethnic Groups; Family Planning; Fertility; Interest Groups; Minority Groups; Political Factors; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Population Growth; Quality Of Life; Reproductive Behavior; Social Welfare; World