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COMMENTARY: THE POPULATION WEAPON
By Edmond Y. Azadian
Posted on December 15, 2011 by Editor
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2011/12/15/commentary-the-population-weapon/
Population growth is a strategic weapon for many nations. For long,
European countries have adopted "birth encouragement" programs to
overcome the drop in their populations. France, especially, has a very
generous "birth encouragement" program, which was adopted a long time
ago due to concerns about the decline in births there.
However, with the flow of immigrants, mostly from France's former
North African colonies, the program has benefited these immigrants,
rather than the ethnic French people.
Now that many similar programs are in place throughout Europe, many
politicians have been alarmed that within the next half century,
Muslim populations may make up the majority population on the European
continent.
The former Soviet Union had a similar plan in place, which also
benefited the Muslim population; women with multiple children were
awarded the title "hero mothers." Most of those "hero mothers" in
Soviet Armenia were either Kurds or Azeris. China, with a population
well over 1.5 billion, has a reverse population policy. Families are
discouraged from having more than two children. China is an economic
super power developing at a very fast rate, and its population
control plan is intended to calibrate its birth rate with the pace
of its economic progress. Runaway population growth may hamper its
economic growth.
Armenia has a half-hearted population program in place, which has not
contributed much to its growth because such a program needs solid
infrastructure to sustain the intended rise in population. Surveys
taken in Armenia have demonstrated that many families are reluctant to
have children because of economic problems and uncertainties facing
the youth there. Should Armenia one day enjoy a strong economy and
help its citizens resist the lure of foreign countries, it would
benefit from fertility clinics for some population increase.
In Muslim countries polygamy is standard practice and it contributes
significantly to the population growth. As a Muslim country,
Turkey's population grew at a faster pace and now it is over 70
million. Parallel economic progress has justified the population
growth, although out of 70 million, 20 million are Kurds who have
become, over the years, more and more assertive of their ethnic
identity.
On the other hand, Egypt's overpopulation has become a national
trauma, because the economy does not keep pace with the population
growth. Birth control is a voluntary option for Egyptian families
and it is not encouraged by the religious authorities. With the
recent emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood, that problem can only
be compounded, as the fundamentalist party will try to impose on the
country Sharia law.
In its December 10 issue, the New York Times ran a feature article
about the population problem in Nagorno Karabagh, under the title,
"The National Womb." The article refers to a recent government
program to encourage population growth, because, the ethnic profile
of the Karabagh Republic is a critical one, well beyond economy and
politics. The future of that tiny republic hinges on its population
retention and growth. The Times has also given some statistics which
seem to be disappointing: "Since its introduction four years ago,
the birth encouragement program has been credited for an increase
in births, 2,694 in 2010 from 2,145 in 2007. The program pays each
couple about $780 at their wedding and then an additional $260 for
the first baby, $520 for the second, $1,300 for the third and $1,820
for the fourth. Families with six or more children under the age
of 18 are given a house. These payments are quite substantial in a
region where an average monthly salary is $50." The above statistics
demonstrate that the population growth has been at a snail's pace;
only an incremental growth in three years, yet Karabagh's future
depend on its population growth.
Throughout all the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
under the auspices of the Minsk Group, a referendum has been one
of the sticking points. Azerbaijan insists that in order to have
a national referendum, Karabagh's Armenian population, along with
Azerbaijan's 7-million population should participate to determine the
future status of Karabagh. In that scenario, it is obvious what the
outcome would be. The Armenian side maintains that referendum must be
limited to the Karabagh population. In this case, the outcome can also
be predicted very easily. But there is an inherent danger here. Even
if the exiled Azeri population returns to Karabagh to participate
in the referendum, their numbers could have increased to dangerous
levels, because, even in refugee camps, the Azeri population can grow
at a faster pace than the Armenian population, without counting the
decrease of Armenian population due to the youth seeking employment
in foreign countries. There is also a caveat in this scenario; the
Armenian side maintains pre-war ratio of 20 percent to 30 percent in
favor of the Armenian population.
No one knows exactly the number of Karabagh's current population and
no one wishes to know. The generally-accepted figure is 180,000.
Since Israel's independence in 1948, the Jewish population has
grown exponentially trying to outnumber Palestinians, particularly
the right-wing, religiously-intolerant faction wanting to settle
in Palestinian territories, despite the wars and siege mentality,
all helped with US tax dollars.
Despite the rise in the Jewish population, the growing Palestinian
population within Israel and in the occupied territories poses a
serious demographic problem for Israel's future.
That is why some extremist groups in Israel maintain that all
Palestinians must be expelled to Jordan.
Despite a massive infusion of funds and military support, Israel is
still under a demographic threat. Which brings us back to Armenia
and Karabagh: where will that support for Armenia come from?
That is why the Times sees a very gloomy prospect for that policy, by
stating: "In a region as economically deprived as Nagorno Karabagh,
is the solution simply to increase the birthrate? Without first
improving education, infrastructure and employment opportunities for
future generations and raising the standard of living, the children
of today's baby boom may grow up to leave in search of better lives
abroad, just like the youths of today."
The Karabagh population demonstrated its patriotism and heroism by
winning the war but patriotism and heroism are not enough to win the
peace and to win the future of the land.
Something more tangible is necessary.
By Edmond Y. Azadian
Posted on December 15, 2011 by Editor
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2011/12/15/commentary-the-population-weapon/
Population growth is a strategic weapon for many nations. For long,
European countries have adopted "birth encouragement" programs to
overcome the drop in their populations. France, especially, has a very
generous "birth encouragement" program, which was adopted a long time
ago due to concerns about the decline in births there.
However, with the flow of immigrants, mostly from France's former
North African colonies, the program has benefited these immigrants,
rather than the ethnic French people.
Now that many similar programs are in place throughout Europe, many
politicians have been alarmed that within the next half century,
Muslim populations may make up the majority population on the European
continent.
The former Soviet Union had a similar plan in place, which also
benefited the Muslim population; women with multiple children were
awarded the title "hero mothers." Most of those "hero mothers" in
Soviet Armenia were either Kurds or Azeris. China, with a population
well over 1.5 billion, has a reverse population policy. Families are
discouraged from having more than two children. China is an economic
super power developing at a very fast rate, and its population
control plan is intended to calibrate its birth rate with the pace
of its economic progress. Runaway population growth may hamper its
economic growth.
Armenia has a half-hearted population program in place, which has not
contributed much to its growth because such a program needs solid
infrastructure to sustain the intended rise in population. Surveys
taken in Armenia have demonstrated that many families are reluctant to
have children because of economic problems and uncertainties facing
the youth there. Should Armenia one day enjoy a strong economy and
help its citizens resist the lure of foreign countries, it would
benefit from fertility clinics for some population increase.
In Muslim countries polygamy is standard practice and it contributes
significantly to the population growth. As a Muslim country,
Turkey's population grew at a faster pace and now it is over 70
million. Parallel economic progress has justified the population
growth, although out of 70 million, 20 million are Kurds who have
become, over the years, more and more assertive of their ethnic
identity.
On the other hand, Egypt's overpopulation has become a national
trauma, because the economy does not keep pace with the population
growth. Birth control is a voluntary option for Egyptian families
and it is not encouraged by the religious authorities. With the
recent emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood, that problem can only
be compounded, as the fundamentalist party will try to impose on the
country Sharia law.
In its December 10 issue, the New York Times ran a feature article
about the population problem in Nagorno Karabagh, under the title,
"The National Womb." The article refers to a recent government
program to encourage population growth, because, the ethnic profile
of the Karabagh Republic is a critical one, well beyond economy and
politics. The future of that tiny republic hinges on its population
retention and growth. The Times has also given some statistics which
seem to be disappointing: "Since its introduction four years ago,
the birth encouragement program has been credited for an increase
in births, 2,694 in 2010 from 2,145 in 2007. The program pays each
couple about $780 at their wedding and then an additional $260 for
the first baby, $520 for the second, $1,300 for the third and $1,820
for the fourth. Families with six or more children under the age
of 18 are given a house. These payments are quite substantial in a
region where an average monthly salary is $50." The above statistics
demonstrate that the population growth has been at a snail's pace;
only an incremental growth in three years, yet Karabagh's future
depend on its population growth.
Throughout all the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
under the auspices of the Minsk Group, a referendum has been one
of the sticking points. Azerbaijan insists that in order to have
a national referendum, Karabagh's Armenian population, along with
Azerbaijan's 7-million population should participate to determine the
future status of Karabagh. In that scenario, it is obvious what the
outcome would be. The Armenian side maintains that referendum must be
limited to the Karabagh population. In this case, the outcome can also
be predicted very easily. But there is an inherent danger here. Even
if the exiled Azeri population returns to Karabagh to participate
in the referendum, their numbers could have increased to dangerous
levels, because, even in refugee camps, the Azeri population can grow
at a faster pace than the Armenian population, without counting the
decrease of Armenian population due to the youth seeking employment
in foreign countries. There is also a caveat in this scenario; the
Armenian side maintains pre-war ratio of 20 percent to 30 percent in
favor of the Armenian population.
No one knows exactly the number of Karabagh's current population and
no one wishes to know. The generally-accepted figure is 180,000.
Since Israel's independence in 1948, the Jewish population has
grown exponentially trying to outnumber Palestinians, particularly
the right-wing, religiously-intolerant faction wanting to settle
in Palestinian territories, despite the wars and siege mentality,
all helped with US tax dollars.
Despite the rise in the Jewish population, the growing Palestinian
population within Israel and in the occupied territories poses a
serious demographic problem for Israel's future.
That is why some extremist groups in Israel maintain that all
Palestinians must be expelled to Jordan.
Despite a massive infusion of funds and military support, Israel is
still under a demographic threat. Which brings us back to Armenia
and Karabagh: where will that support for Armenia come from?
That is why the Times sees a very gloomy prospect for that policy, by
stating: "In a region as economically deprived as Nagorno Karabagh,
is the solution simply to increase the birthrate? Without first
improving education, infrastructure and employment opportunities for
future generations and raising the standard of living, the children
of today's baby boom may grow up to leave in search of better lives
abroad, just like the youths of today."
The Karabagh population demonstrated its patriotism and heroism by
winning the war but patriotism and heroism are not enough to win the
peace and to win the future of the land.
Something more tangible is necessary.