THE POLITICS OF POPULATION

Countries all over the world are marked the global population reaching seven billion by each nominating a child born on 31 October. The UN calculated the milestone would be reached at some point on Monday 31st October. But as the global population rises, the proportion of young people is decreasing, and the gap between the rich and poor is widening too.

Modern research on the genetic structure of human populations suggests that nearly 15 000 years ago the world population was 15 million (the present population of Delhi, India). The population by the time of Isa (AS) over 2000 years ago had increased to 250 million (about the same as present day Indonesia). On the eve of the industrial revolution in the 18th century world population had tripled to about 700 million (double the size of current day America). In the two centuries that followed the global population increased at an annual rate of 6% reaching 2.5 billion by 1950. In the five decades that followed global population has more then doubled at a rate of 18% to reach more then 6 billion on the eve of the 21st century. Although growth rates are slowing, barring some demographic catastrophe the world population should reach 9 billion by 2050. The current population of the world stands as of November 2011 at 7 billion.

The myth of world overpopulation

The situation of the majority of the world's people is one of abject poverty and misery. 3 billion in the world live on fewer than two dollars a day. From amongst them 1.3 billion have no access to clean water; 3 billion have no access to sanitation and 2 billion have no access to electricity. The rate of population growth over the last century has been labelled the underlying cause of the world standing on the brink of disaster; we are running out of food to sustain such growing population. It is argued by the proponents of over-population that the huge growth in world population is responsible for poverty, environmental destruction and social unrest. Economic development in the third world is impossible as long as populations continue to grow as a result international agencies and governments have developed numerous programmes to curtail the rate of population growth, all of these have been implemented in the third world.

The United Nations sponsored the first conference of its kind in 1994 in Cairo to examine the problem of overpopulation and propose measures to control it. The conference debated numerous approaches to control fertility; it promoted the use of contraception, promoted liberal economic development and called for the improving of women's status. The basis of the conference was an acceptance that population growth contributes to economic decline and efforts to control population growth is hampered in the third world by religious beliefs that promote large families and lack of education for women.

Such efforts have led to an acceptance that Population growth leads to negative effects such as Economic decline, Stagnation, Global poverty, Hunger, Environmental devastation and Political unrest. Such a philosophy has been the driving engine for the UN and World Bank. Population growth is a problem of Africa, Latin America and Asia and if the problems are to be solved then such countries are the ones that must do it. Hence the victims who have suffered the worst are to blame with empirical research proving such an assumption.

The first person to advocate such a view was reverend Thomas Malthus in 1798, who in his famous Essay on the Principle of Population, stated that scarcity will lead to problems because while populations increase at a geometrical ratio, (2, 4, 8, 16, 32) resources such as food increase with a ratio that is only arithmetic (2, 4, 6, 8, 10). As a result, without 'checks' to control fertility, populations will increase, use up the worlds resources causing famines, war and disease to balance resources and population.

This alleged over-population has to be in relation to something to qualify it being over. That something is the use of resources. The resources being consumed leading to global imbalances are attributed to population sizes.

Although there is no consensus on why the first nation in the world to industrialise was Britain its causes are generally accepted as potentially 8 factors, one of them being the growth in population.

Following the union with Scotland in 1707, the British population stood at 6.5 million; a century later it had reached 15 million. More importantly, most of that growth had taken place after 1750 in one of the greatest population explosions in British history. By 1801 the population had grown to well over 16 million. This increase was critical as it increased the potential labour force and consumers of commodities. China and India have also proven that large populations are a good thing, although during the 1960's and 1970's both nations implemented programmes of population reduction under the influence of the West both managed to reduce the size of population growth but have been unable to curtail it and at the same time they represents the largest growing economies of the world, which contradicts the overpopulation view that more means more resources being depleted.

Capitalism = Poverty

When all assumptions on the effects of population growth are scrutinised population increases in no way has ever contributed to the many ills of the world today and what becomes clear is that there is a clear political agenda in attributing the increasing global population as the cause of the worlds potential disaster. This agenda is to shift the real cause away from the lifestyles, living patterns, un-sustainability of consumerism, poverty and blatant abuse of the Third world in order that the western world can live of the third world. Accusing population of causing the worlds ills would be tantamount to accusing too many women in the world for the high rape rate in the West or the existence of too many trees for causing bush fires in the world.

The developed world faces a very series conundrum; Japan, Russia, Germany, Switzerland and much of Eastern Europe are experiencing population decline, due to a huge reduction in births. The rest of the Western world would also have declining populations was it not for immigration. As population numbers decline in the West relative to the third world and Muslim world such countries will have a legitimate right based upon their numbers to demand greater say in so called international institutes and representation on international bodies. The issue of overpopulation is a very useful tool to vilify nations with have rising populations and at the same time protecting its potential loss of future influence. This can be seen clearly with Turkish EU accession, upon joining the EU, Turkey's almost 70 million inhabitants would bestow it the second largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament. In addition Demographic projections indicate Turkey would surpass Germany in the number of seats by 2020. Turkey's membership would have wide ranging consequences for the future direction of the EU including the thorny issue of future enlargement plans, grounds by which Valéry Giscard d'Estaing of France has opposed Turkey's admission. d'Estaing has suggested that it would lead to demands for accession by Morocco.

For all the blame placed on the third world for being too many in number The Industrialised West consume 81% of all that is manufactured in the world, although the third world has most of the resources and minerals needed to manufacture the worlds goods, the third world only consumes 3.6%. The Western world consumes 50% of the 21st century's most important resource; oil, it produced less then a quarter of it.

It's all about the Economy

The developed world has come to be characterised with its consumer industry, it has become obsessed with consumption. Economies are measured by their ability to produce more then the same period last year and Gross domestic product (GDP) has become the measurement by which progress and happiness is measured. Westerners view their needs as ever increasing and corporations with the help of new marketing techniques have over the years generated numerous artificial needs. The importance of the consumer to consume was outlined by Richard Robbins in his award wining book 'global problem and the culture of capitalism,' 'a couple of days after the al Qaeda operatives crashed two planes into the world trade centre on September 11th , US congress members met to plan a message to the stunned public. "We've got to give people confidence to go back outside and go to work, buy things, go back to the stores, get ready for thanksgiving, get ready for Christmas," said one member of congress, echoing the message of the president 'get out' he said "and be active members of our society." (CNN 2001). 'The fact that after one of the most shocking events in US history government officials were urging citizens above all to shop and work is ample testimony the significance of consumption in the effective working of our economy and indeed for the whole society."

Consumption and more consumption!

Society has been transformed from purchasing what was necessary to survive to buying habits where luxuries have been turned into life's necessities; this was largely achieved by marketing and advertising. The goal of advertisers has always been to aggressively shape consumer desires and create value in commodities by imbuing them with power which will transform any person into something more desirable. National campaigns are undertaken where celebrities effectively endorse them. Advertisers with the help of corporation's stir up anxiety and restlessness over the possession of things that are 'new' or 'up to date.' Being in possession of the 'fashionable' thing has become a necessity and being defined as 'unfashionable' is one of life's failures which capitalism created ensuring the consumer remains consuming.

The nuclear family of western nations (the 2.4 children family), while smaller in number then the Third world have always consumed far more resources. After WW2 the US Department of Commerce, at the pressure of affected businesses promoted the notion of larger homes, and even a room per child, in order to increase sales of the many products that are purchased in a home. Due to this the US with 4% of the world's population, consumes 25% of the world's resources. This is in stark contradiction to what is advocated by the US in regards "over" population.

It is to the consumer businesses look to supply their goods and for the impetus for the continued expansion of the economy and the accumulation of money. The reason why capitalism needs to continuously grow and expand is because for companies to make profits they need to continually sell more and more of their goods and services. These goods require resources which are naturally found in the Earth such as oil, gas water etc. This requires the pursuit of these minerals in the third world where most of the worlds minerals are and this is where the worlds shortage of food and global poverty lies. The advances in technology will ensure more goods are produced at cheaper prices undercutting competitors. The struggle lies in continually developing technology to produce items quicker and cheaper and at the same time ensuring consumers are always willing to buy them. The world's resources are limited hence more and more companies are competing for an ever more dwindling resource base.

In affect the developed world feeds of the third world, policies by government are influenced by the pursuit of national companies usually termed national interests. The need to continually produce more pushes companies to exploit countries with resources and the third world is duped with the opportunity of work. The numerous economic process zones in south East Asia, where workers work in dismal conditions earning just a few dollars a day are evidence of this. In such zones the companies concerned are not allowed to sell such products in the market the goods are produced in but are only allowed to have them produced which brings jobs to the host economy.

National Interests are the root of the problem

It was in the 1950's and 1960's the US developed a whole host of policies to counter the rise in population of the Third world. Population growth in poor countries started to become a concern to western governments. A US National Security Study memorandum produced in 1974 by the National Security Council at the request of then US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, concluded that there were four types of reasons that population growth in poor countries could be a threat to US national security:

1. Larger nations would gain greater political power

2. Populous nations would be more able to deny the West access to resources and materials

3. Growing number of younger people might be more able to challenge global power structures

4. Growing populations may be a threat to US investors in those countries.

The memorandum mentioned nations like India, Brazil, Thailand, Turkey, Ethiopia and Colombia as countries of concern in this respect. The request for the memorandum was called NSSM 200 (National Security Study Memorandum), while the official endorsing of it that led to it being a foreign policy guide was called NSDM 314 (a National Security Decision Memorandum).

The developed world led by the US was the driving engine behind the IMF and World Bank and their notorious structural adjustment programmes. The Third world was forced to privatise industry, deregulate its markets and turn their economies into factories for exports so the West can continue consuming. Free trade policies were forced on the third world which allowed the West to control essential industries in the name of free markets and globalisation. Such actions ensured a continued flow of cheap consumer items to the West, made by the very cheap labour of the third world.

The Khilafah Solution

The lifestyles of the developed world aswell as their consumption patterns are the real underlying issues which is causing the depletion of the worlds mineral resources. Their increased consumption has ensured the third world remains in a state of poverty, and at the same time the increasing population in the third world is blamed for some of the ills in the world.

Islam addressed to issue of consumption through a number of ayah's:

1. Rizq in origin is from Allah سبحانه وتعالى and Allah سبحانه وتعالى has ordered mankind to seek their provisions through halaal means. Amongst a whole host of Ayah's Allah سبحانه وتعالى made it very clear that he is the provider of ones provisions:

"And eat of what Allah provided to you." [Al-Maidah:88]

"Who created you then provided to you." [TMQ Ar-Rum:40]

"Spend of what Allah provided to you." [TMQ Ya-sin:47]

"Indeed Allah provides to whom He likes." [TMQ Al-Imran:37]

This means all Muslim should drive to earn and seek their provisions and how these are earned is what one will be accounted for on the day of judgment. One should seek them with the understanding that they will receive what has been ordained and not make this the one's ultimate aim in life. One should also work on the basis that there are sufficient mineral resources in the world for all to live handsomely as Allah سبحانه وتعالى has provided for all:

"It is He Who created for you all that is in the earth." [TMQ Al-Baqarah:29]

"Do you not see how Allah has made serviceable to you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth, and He has loaded you with His favours, both the open and the hidden." [TMQ Luqman:20]

"Who has appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and caused water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you." [TMQ Al-Baqarah:22]

Hence Allah سبحانه وتعالى has created all the original minerals and resources necessary for one to sustain themselves, and then left mankind to work and manufacture goods or engage in agriculture.

2. Islam encouraged spending in the halaal things but prohibited excessiveness in ones spending.

Islam considered excessive spending foolishness (Safah) and squandering, Allah سبحانه وتعالى said

"and squander not (your wealth) in wantonness. Lo! The squanderers were ever brothers of the devils." [Al-Isra: 26-27]

Here Allah سبحانه وتعالى compares squanderers with the devils in their wickedness, which is the greatest rebuke, because there is none more 'devilish' than Satan, squandering means here to spend in the forbidden matters.

3. At the same time Allah سبحانه وتعالى orders one to spend in the halaal matters, Allah سبحانه وتعالى said

"Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has brought for His servants and the good things of His provision." [Al-A'raf: 32]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Allah loves to see the sign of His favour on His servant," narrated by At-Tirmidhi.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said also: "If Allah gave you property, let Him see the sign of His bounties and dignity on you," narrated by Al-Hakim from the father of Abu Al-Ahwas.

So if someone has wealth and was miserly when spending on himself, he would be sinful in the sight of Allah, this also includes those he is responsible to support.

4. Islam mandated the Khaleefah to provide for the basic necessities of its citizens. Islam considers poverty as one matter for any person in any country and any generation. The basic needs in Islam are defined as three things, food, clothing and accommodation. Poverty in the view of Islam is the non-satisfaction of the basic needs in a complete way. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said:

"The duty of feeding and clothing nursing of mothers in a seemly manner is upon the father of the child." [Al-Baqarah: 233]

And

"Lodge them where you dwell, according to your wealth." [At-Talaq: 6]

Islam made the satisfaction of these basic needs and their provision a right for the person who cannot afford them. The Khaleefah would develop projects and give contracts ensuring the economy provides for every individuals needs. The Khilafah will also have an agricultural policy and grant those without jobs free land in order to develop it.

5. A large chunk of Islamic economics is dedicated to ensuring wealth distribution. Islam recognizes the differences in the ability and strength of people and does not leave things completely to the forces of supply and demand. Islam allows government intervention in the economy to bring equilibrium into the market. This is understood from the ayah "That it (i.e. the nation's wealth) does not become a commodity between the rich among you." (TMQ Al-Hashr: 7) This verse addressed the Ameer to ensure that wealth is not distributed in a manner where it remains amongst the rich alone. Hence Islam allowed government intervention to bring equilibrium in the economy.

6. Islam funds the basic needs of its entire population by designating any utility regarded as indispensable for the community, such that its absence would require people to search far and wide for it, i.e. the asset is difficult to find and make use of as it requires refining, as a public property. This means the utilities would be publicly owned and the revenue generated would be administered for the benefit of all citizens. This is derived from the hadith of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم "Muslims are partners in three things: in water, pastures and fire". Although the hadith mentioned just three things we can utilize qiyas (analogy) and extend the evidence to cover all instances of indispensable community utilities. Thus water sources, forests of firewood, pastures for livestock and the like are all public utilities as well as the mosques, state schools (not including private schools), hospitals, oil fields, electricity plants, seas, lakes, public canals, gulfs, straits, dams etc.

7. Besides the public properties Islam laid down a number of rules to ensure wealth continually circulates and penalized and in some cases taxed those who hoard their wealth. Islam has a whole host of rules which restrict the hoarding of wealth and promotes spending ensuring wealth distribution. Islam has land taxation where Khara'j which is a tax estimated on the quality of the land, and Ushri, which is a tax on the produce from the land. Islam allows the confiscation of land if it's unused for 3 years. This rule would effectively end the monopoly some families have in the third world who inherited huge lands from the departing colonialists, unless it's used productively which would aid wealth distribution

Conclusions

It should be very clear the problem of global imbalances lies well and truly in the policies of the Western nations. Whilst the Third world drowns in the misery of poverty the governments of the developed world lay the blame on the victims for their own misery. The Khilafah has a track record of taking care of the affairs of its citizens and has in its possession a number of policies which will not just ensure all its citizens are catered for but it will place this on the global agenda exposing the West and bringing to an end the exploitative policies of Capitalism.