Do demographics still weigh in on geopolitics?

3 episodes

1

The weaponisation of demography in geopolitical relations
2

“Demographics in the US are a source of power”
3

Geopolitics: “the impact of migration is essentially regional”

Épisode 1/3

The weaponisation of demography in geopolitical relations

With Richard Robert, Journalist and Author

On November 24th, 2021

3min reading time

Key takeaways

For a long time, power was determined by population number; along with GDP per capita, it remains a major determinant.
But geopolitics is dynamic: more than absolute figures, there are trends that should be followed.
Moreover, power logic is now capital- and technology-intensive, rather than labour-intensive, so the capacity for innovation could weigh in over demographic factors.
The theme of “climate migrants” has replaced the “demographic boom” of the 1960s, but so far disruptions have been local rather than geopolitical.
On the other hand, the “weaponisation” of migratory movements must be considered carefully because it renews the repertoire of hybrid conflicts.

Épisode 2/3

“Demographics in the US are a source of power”

With Richard Robert, Journalist and Author

On November 24th, 2021

4min reading time

Nicholas Eberstadt

Senior adviser to the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR)

Key takeaways

A large population is a necessary condition for being a global geopolitical player, but beyond the head count another key factor is human capital.
In the short run, the risk of demographic decline or low human capital does not affect authoritarian regimes’ will to show strength on the international stage – even if it is detrimental for them in the long run.
China’s spectacular rise to the status of a ‘superpower’ was associated with demographic factors that are now having a negative effect.
Thanks to its demographic profile (natural growth, educational level, and qualified immigration) the US still has a comparative advantage. But as for its demographic dynamism, there might be trouble in paradise.

Épisode 3/3

Geopolitics: “the impact of migration is essentially regional”

With Richard Robert, Journalist and Author

On November 24th, 2021

3min reading time

Hervé Le Bras

Research director in demographics at EHESS and Emeritus research director at Ined

Key takeaways

The geopolitical impact of migration remains low when considering relations between major powers, but it is more marked on a regional scale.
Some of the tensions within the European Union are based on the issue of migration and the use of migration to exert pressure on the EU by some of its neighbours is a new development.
Outside Europe, “climatic” migration nowadays takes place over very short distances.
The refugee phenomenon, both in Africa and in Europe, can affect the stability of states and their relations.

Contributors

Richard Robert

Journalist and Author

Richard Robert is editorial director of Telos and conducts forward-looking research as part of the Observatoire du long terme (Long-Term Observatory) and the Institut de prospective CentraleSupélec Alumni (CentraleSupélec Alumni Institute for Forward-Looking Studies). From 2012 to 2018, he was editor-in-chief of the Paris Innovation Review. His latest books include: Le Social et le Politique (The Social and the Political), with Guy Groux and Martial Foucault, CNRS Éditions, 2020; La Valse européenne (The European Waltz), with Elie Cohen, Fayard, 2021; Une brève histoire du droit d’auteur (A Brief History of Copyright), with Jean-Baptiste Rendu, Flammarion, 2024; Les Nouvelles Dimensions du partage de la valeur (The New Dimensions of Value Sharing), with Erell Thevenon-Poullennec, PUF, 2024; Les Imaginaires sociaux des smart cities (The Social Imaginaries of Smart Cities), Presses des Mines, 2025. Forthcoming: Sauver la démocratie sociale (Saving Social Democracy), with Gilbert Cette and Guy Groux, Calmann-Lévy, coll. ‘Liberté de l'esprit’ (Freedom of Thought), 2026.