Demographic Trends, Pronatalism, and Nationalist Ideologies in the Late Twentieth Century

Authors

Leslie King, Smith CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2002

Publication Title

Ethnic and Racial Studies

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between demographic trends and nationalist ideologies through an analysis of fertility policies in France, Romania, Singapore and Israel. Each of these countries has sought to increase birthrates through government initiatives. I examine the extent to which pronatalist programmes in these countries reflect ethno-nationalist ideologies, as opposed to more inclusive civic/cultural nationalist visions, and find that policies are moving in a more civic/cultural nationalist direction. Pronatalist policies are less often specifically aimed at dominant racial/ethnic groups and are less oriented towards ‘traditional’ gender roles. I argue that ethno-nationalist visions of the nation may become less influential, in part due to demographic imperatives.

Keywords

Nationalism, pronatalism, France, Israel, Romania, Singapore

Volume

25

Issue

3

First Page

367

Last Page

389

DOI

10.1080/0141987002003670

Comments

Archived as published.

Recommended Citation

King, Leslie, "Demographic Trends, Pronatalism, and Nationalist Ideologies in the Late Twentieth Century" (2002). Sociology: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/soc_facpubs/28