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The population discourse: a transnational matrix ; the case of Germany and Sweden
Der Bevölkerungsdiskurs: eine transnationale Matrix ; Deutschland and Schweden im Vergleich
[journal article]
Abstract "Since the 19th century, the question of population has been discussed in the form of a specific matrix. Population is described as human capital. It can serve a modern nation as a resource if it is biologically and socially optimized, but could also pose a threat if 'degeneration' escalates. Thus, ... view more
"Since the 19th century, the question of population has been discussed in the form of a specific matrix. Population is described as human capital. It can serve a modern nation as a resource if it is biologically and socially optimized, but could also pose a threat if 'degeneration' escalates. Thus, the demographic question is always dealt with in a dualistic manner. The human capitals' 'valuable' part does not breed enough children, the socially or biologically problematic or even 'substandard' part of the population produces far too much offspring. The fact that this pattern shapes the speaking about population transnationally, can be shown by comparing such very different social systems like Sweden and Germany." (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
Sweden; Federal Republic of Germany; historical development; population development; comparative research; welfare state; nineteenth century; twentieth century; biotechnology policy; regulation; population; Malthus, T.; genetics; theory; race; biological factors; declining birth rate; discourse; transnationalization
Classification
Population Studies, Sociology of Population
Social History, Historical Social Research
Method
historical; theory application
Document language
English
Publication Year
2011
Page/Pages
p. 101-119
Journal
Historical Social Research, 36 (2011) 2
Issue topic
Fertilität in der Geschichte des 20. Jahrhunderts: Trends, Theorien, Politik, Diskurse
DOI
https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.36.2011.2.101-119
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed