Publication
Title
From the first to the second demographic transition: an interpretation of the spatial continuity of demographic innovation in France, Belgium and Switzerland
Author
Abstract
This article links spatial indicators of two demographic innovation waves to historical and contemporary covariates of both a socio-economic and a cultural nature. The two waves of innovation correspond to the so-called first and second demographic transitions (FDT, SDT), respectively. A connection is made between the emergence of spatial demographic patterns and A.J. Coales three preconditions for innovation, i.e., readiness, willingness and ability (RWA-model) and to the influence of networks in shaping relatively stable regional subcultures. Since the RWA-model is of the bottleneck type, it is expected that the slowest moving or most resistant condition will largely determine the spatial outcome of the two demographic transitions. In the instances of French départements, Belgian arrondissements and Swiss cantons, clear statistical associations emerge between indicators of both FDT and SDT and cultural indicators. This suggests that the willingness condition, as reflected in regional subcultures, has been the dominant bottleneck in both waves of demographic innovation. The Swiss evidence is, however, weaker than that for France and Belgium, despite the fact that, here too, associations are in the expected direction.
Language
English
Source (journal)
European journal of population. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2002
ISSN
0168-6577
DOI
10.1023/A:1021125800070
Volume/pages
18 :4 (2002) , p. 325-360
ISI
000179322400002
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 17.05.2010
Last edited 28.01.2023
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