The Impact and Relevance of Population Growth on Geostrategy Essay

Geostrategy typically describes how the various geopolitical factors inform, constrain, and affect businesses in the long run. Regardless of the type, the geopolitical drivers are closely linked to population growth, size, composition, and trends. Therefore, the increased population growth experienced over the past four decades positively impacted the global geostrategy. For instance, the period between 1970 and 2010 saw a 90% increase in the global human population and this is expected to increase further by one-third by 2050.

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From the liberal theoretical perspective, the increased population growth is vital to all states since it promotes cooperation amongst them to facilitate more altruistic actions. For example, the increase will compel the developed world to assist developing countries, which have the highest population growth rates to prepare effectively towards achieving an inclusive prosperity. Typically, the cooperation between third world countries and the developed ones will promote good health, education, and introduce family planning programs that would help in reducing the extremes (Murray, 2015). Still, the liberalist mind is based on the formation of voluntary population policies that would mutually benefit all parties in terms of slowed demographic changes; thus, limiting the number of possible challenges thwarting the progress of less developed countries. Therefore, the liberalist argues that population growth can influence the affected countries to develop strategies of both developmental and security benefits (White, n.d). Furthermore, various countries can sign treaties aimed at protecting the environment as regards the increased resource utilization by the larger human population. The agreements further outline policies concerning the consumption patterns of resources and how to mitigate local environmental pressures related to deforestation, water scarcity, desertification, unsustainable use of resources and the ecological damage (Samways, 2016). Therefore, they will find solutions to the current problem of infertility.

Realistically, the liberalist theoretical perspective promotes demographic differentiation within the geopolitical atmosphere on a global basis. This is because as it tries to reduce overpopulation with reference to the available resources, the liberalist aims at limiting the reduction in working-age manpower in the developed world. Similarly, a robust manpower will be readily available in the developing countries as regards a constantly youthful population growth (Samways, 2016). Therefore, it implies that the liberalist perspective is based on an economic potential from the migration flows that are crucial in attaining development despite the enormous challenges and environmental stresses. Finally, the successful passage of international policies can further increase the practical importance of the population growth in geostrategic considerations.

Conversely, the realist's perspective puts the importance of population growth in geostrategy in a different context, specifically based on anarchy (Wivel, 2018). For instance, a realist argues that none of the centralized economies can neither control nor limit the actions of the sovereign states as regards population growth. Therefore, realists believe that nations rely on themselves based on the powers ordained in their sovereignty. This implies that realists are more interested in a self-help world as nations make survival efforts to achieve global security within the international system (Kat, 2015).

Therefore, realism asserts that population growth empowers countries to prioritize education as a way of moderating further demographic increment to limit possible strains on the available natural resources (Murray, 2015). The school is a strategy used to solve underdeveloped countries' current food insecurity and related social implications associated with unemployment that only accelerate global warming. This implies that population growth is a geopolitical tool used to improve educational facilities. Similarly, increased population growth promotes access to better reproductive health facilities and raises the legal age of marriage to empower women to actively participate in the workforce for the good of the country. Therefore, as a result of population growth, realists necessitate geopolitical debates that improve awareness and communication services to present a positive outlook on the importance of contraceptives in married couples (White, n.d). The increased levels of education will further reduce the fertility rates among women to help in saving the limited global natural resources. Typically, the raised educational levels will ensure a reduced birth rate that ultimately slows the rate of population growth and eventually eradicates poverty owing to the more educated personnel that drives economic growth (Murray, 2015).

Further, realist's theoretical perspectives presume that developing nations can take advantage of population growth to improve clean and efficient energy with concerns on sustainable resource utilization (Samways, 2016). Therefore, the environmental consciousness is crucial in ensuring that the already larger population harness maximum benefits sustainably in regards to the policies put in place by the geopolitical class. The geostrategists argue that the impacts of population growth lead to pressure on available natural resources and land use owing to the elevated need for basic needs and related social amenities and infrastructure (Samways, 2016). Importantly, the repercussions have necessitated the passing legislation that is in compliance with the economic, agricultural, educational, and health regulations (Murray, 2015). Therefore, they ensure a balance between the rate of population increment and that of economic and social prosperity.

Conclusion

Accordingly, the realist's perspective is quite logical and powerful in considering the state of modern politics because most developing countries are currently independent and no longer require aids from abroad. This is because they leverage their sovereignty and power to formulate policies that sustainably benefit their rapidly increasing population irrespective of other demographic changes in other established nations (Wivel, 2018). The application of realist's understanding is vital in accumulating capital to achieve economic development despite the various impacts of population growth (Kat, 2015).

References

Kat, M. (2015). A Conceptual Analysis of Realism in International Political Economy. E-International Relations Students. [Updated: Apr 16 2015]. Retrieved 29/9/2018 from https://www.e-ir.info/2015/04/16/a-conceptual-analysis-of-realism-in-international-political-economy/

Murray, S. (2015). How education can moderate population growth. World Economic Forum. Web. Retrieved 29/9/2018 from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/07/how-education-can-moderate-population-growth/

Samways, D. (2016). Population & Sustainability. The Journal of Population Matters, Vol 1, No 1. Retrieved 29/9/2018 from https://www.populationmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Population_and_Sustainability_Vol_1_No_1.pdf

White, H. (n.d). Chapter 5: The geo-strategic implications of China's growth. Geo-strategy returns. Retrieved 29/9/2018 from http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p93731/pdf/ch055.pdf

Wivel, A. (2018). Realism and Peaceful Change. E-International Relations. [Updated: Feb 9 2018]. Retrieved 29/9/2018 from https://www.e-ir.info/2018/02/09/realism-and-peaceful-change/