The Demography Of South Africa

This groundbreaking study of South Africa provides a unique look at the interplay of demographic, social and economic processes in a society undergoing rapid change as a result of the collapse of apartheid. It uses data from the first post-apartheid census as the basis for analysis of fertility, mortality within the context of HIV/AIDS, migration, education, employment, and household structure. These census data are complemented by large-scale household surveys and data from a partial registration system to study the relationships among various demographic, economic, and social phenomena. For the first time the demographic consequences of both the longer-term impact of apartheid policies and the policies of the new South Africa are examined and compared. This comprehensive reference links the demographic behavior of South Africa's various population groups to social, economic, and political inequalities created by policies of separate and unequal development. Prepared under the auspices of the Population Studies Center at the University of Pennsylvania, it is an essential resource for all scholars and practitioners in the field.

In nine essays originating from the running Miami International Relations Group seminar, the editors and contributors introduce constructivism as an alternative to studying IR from a historical and systems' analytical framework. They advance constructivism in the context of the perennial agent-structure debate; discuss international relations under social construction (as in national identity, feminist struggle, and global Internet governance), and reconstructing the discipline. Paper edition (unseen), $22.95. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Demography is the scientific study of the size, composition and change in human population. It studies empirical phenomena and describes them as precisely as possible.

This edited collection investigates what progress has been made in the field of social demography in South Africa since the democratic dispensation in the country. Contributors offer a compilation of in-depth analytical studies of substantive, technical and contemporary issues in the South African demographic landscape. Accessible and topical, it is a useful reference guide to those working in disciplines such as sociology, geography, statistics and economics, and to all those trying to understand the role of national statistical agency in national development planning in Africa. This book project is funded by Statistics South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

"The cohort of young people born between the early 1980s and early 1990s comprise a demographic bulge in the South African population. The sheer size of this cohort renders it especially important in terms of the changing political, economic and social life of the country. The cohort grew up for the most part after apartheid had ended, entered the labour market at a time of high unemployment, is having children as marriage is in decline, and reached voting age just as the ANC's moral stature began to decline. All of these might be expected to result in distinctive attitudes and behaviours. By diverse criteria, however, the cohort looks much like older (or immediately previous cohorts of) South Africans. This 'generation' does not appear to be particularly distinctive except in terms of its size. Where this cohort is likely to leave its mark is in entrenching some of the social, economic and political changes that, until recently, might have appeared transient." -- Abstract.

In sub-Saharan Africa, older people make up a relatively small fraction of the total population and are supported primarily by family and other kinship networks. They have traditionally been viewed as repositories of information and wisdom, and are critical pillars of the community but as the HIV/AIDS pandemic destroys family systems, the elderly increasingly have to deal with the loss of their own support while absorbing the additional responsibilities of caring for their orphaned grandchildren. Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa explores ways to promote U.S. research interests and to augment the sub-Saharan governments' capacity to address the many challenges posed by population aging. Five major themes are explored in the book such as the need for a basic definition of "older person," the need for national governments to invest more in basic research and the coordination of data collection across countries, and the need for improved dialogue between local researchers and policy makers. This book makes three major recommendations: 1) the development of a research agenda 2) enhancing research opportunity and implementation and 3) the translation of research findings.