ABSTRACT
One of the most difficult problems facing mankind in the present historical era is the control of its own population. The problem has two aspects: an immediate short-run aspect involving the relation of population growth to the dynamics of a developing society, and a long-run aspect involving the ultimate population equilibrium. The short-run aspect of the problem is largely the result of the sudden introduction of malaria control and other public health measures in tropical societies which previously have had a high rate of infant mortality. One of the essential differences between civilized and postcivilized society is that in civilized society a relatively small proportion of resources of the adult working population need to be devoted to the upbringing and education of the young. The different rates of growth of different populations also comprise an important long-run force producing the international and the internal political tension.
