"This book explores contemporary population issues in a historical context. It is a world economic history of demographic change with emphasis on the well-being of the population. Exploring the years since the Middle Ages, this unique book emphasizes the commonality of human experience...

An eternal motive of human existence is the search for guidance.While values and beliefs retain their high relevance, today's enlightened societies also tend to rest their aspirations and decisions on the actual facts and on a sober assessment of possible courses of events emerging from...