In our introductory lecture, Dr. Kaufmann presents political demography, a new discipline examining how population changes affect politics and vice versa, focusing on the uneven growth rates between different groups, regions, and nations. We discuss key demographic concepts including fertility rates, mortality rates, and migration patterns, highlighting how these factors influence political power dynamics within and between countries. The lecture also discusses demographic "megatrends" such as the aging of developed nations, youth bulges in developing regions, mass urbanization, and increased migration pressures, emphasizing how these demographic shifts are reshaping political dynamics in our increasingly interconnected world.

In lecture two, we analyze how population, environment, and resources interact under climate change, focusing on the debate between Malthusians, who see population pressure driving violence, and cornucopians, who argue innovation can ease scarcity. We explore how resource depletion, climate shocks, and migration may shape conflict in indirect, politically mediated ways. Finally, the discussion concludes that although dire Malthusian predictions haven’t materialized, population and environmental pressures still contribute to regional tensions.

In lecture three, we explore the relationship between young populations and violent conflict, focusing on the "youth bulge" hypothesis which suggests countries with a high proportion of young adults are more prone to civil war and violence. We examine how age structure affects conflict through both "greed" and "grievance" mechanisms, noting that youth bulges create violence risk primarily through indirect effects like unemployment and blocked social mobility. The lecture also discusses the potential positive outcome of a "demographic dividend" when countries can harness young populations for economic growth rather than conflict.