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The white population of the world will soon cease to increase. The Asiatic races will be longer, and the negroes still longer, before their birth rate falls sufficiently to make their numbers stable without help of war and pestilence.... Until that happens, the benefits aimed at by socialism can only be partially realized, and the less prolific races will have to defend themselves against the more prolific by methods which are disgusting even if they are necessary.

Bertrand Russell#16

EthicsPoliticsDemographicsRaceSocialism

About this quote

What does it mean?
Russell claims that differing birth rates among races will cause demographic shifts, forcing less prolific groups to defend themselves, often in harsh ways, limiting socialism’s benefits.
In plain terms
He says population growth differences will cause conflict and limit socialism.
What can you take from it?
Demographic trends can shape social policies.

Where it applies

  • policy planning
  • social theory discussions

Putting it to work

  • considering demographic data in policy
  • addressing inequality

Questions to consider

  • How should societies address demographic changes ethically?
  • Can socialism adapt to demographic realities?

Another view

His racial categorization is outdated and can be misused.

More from Bertrand Russell

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  3. One who believes as I do, that free intellect is the chief engine of human progress, cannot but be fundamentally opposed to Bolshevism as much as to the Church…

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