That view isn't voiced in either of these pieces. It's clearly possible to entertain concerns about declining population numbers and/or population aging (both of which are happening right now in various countries) without advocating that it should be prioritized above all other political issues.

Population decline is not just about human extinction.

Before it ends, human civilization will grow increasingly unpleasant — and communal ideals associated with left-wing politics will become increasingly difficult to sustain.

This new article in Sociology Lens (the former Journal of Historical Sociology) contains a summary of the main argument of my dissertation. It addresses how the German economy transitioned to capitalism, and emphasizes the contribution of agriculture. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Oh, sure, and there's less flattering potential explanations for it too. Maybe some factional politics in longtermist/EA circles or something.

I could think of a number of reasons for that. Maybe some kind of deal with the publisher of the volume it's supposed to be included in. Or perhaps they're trying to move away from longtermist rhetoric (it's basically absent in the book) and pitch their ideas in wonky instead of futuristic terms

Thank you. I may actually be a bit more tolerant of long-range projections. Obviously a lot of things may happen between now and then (whenever then is) to invalidate their projection, but I don't think it's necessarily an illegitimate exercise.

Tagging those who might be interested in such things: @philipncohen.com @karenguzzo.bsky.social @amandajean.bsky.social @danahull.bsky.social @lesja.bsky.social

In my review of Spears and Geruso's book "After the Spike" for Jacobin, I attempt to confront what I consider the core of their argument, which is why declining global population would be undesirable, and I find their arguments unpersuasive.

jacobin.com/2025/07/demo...

Their demographic projections are probably the least weird part of the book. I have a critical review which should be appearing soon.

Were eighteenth century Prussian peasants oppressed by their noble landlords? My article in Central European History argues, against the past half century of scholarship, that they were due to a biased judicial system, frequent beatings, and much else:

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

My latest article in Jacobin addresses the phenomenon of the "pronatalist" mileau. The pronatalists face a choice: they either can pursue their stated objectives by adopting a political program of welfare state expansion, or remain a self-defeating movement.

jacobin.com/2025/04/nata...

The criticisms of Engels' writing on the Peasants' War usually (see: Roper's book) have more to do with objections to class analysis tout court or the factors that Engels emphasizes as a result of that perspective. It's a solid historical essay.

My review of Lyndal Roper's new book on the German Peasants' War (on its 500 year anniversary), Summer of Fire and Blood

jacobin.com/2025/03/germ...

My latest for Jacobin: the New York Times and McKinsey say that aging populations will inevitably lead to lower living standards for ordinary people. But it's an attempt to scare people into accepting attacks on their own economic interests.

jacobin.com/2025/02/mcki...

My latest for Jacobin: Elon Musk and other capitalists often bemoan falling American birth rates. Do we have good reasons for sharing their concerns? Find out below.

jacobin.com/2025/01/fall...

One could also say Mangione took the logic of self-help to its most extreme conclusion, eschewing systemic change in favor of a DIY murder complete with a 3D-printed gun.

Please add me; Central Brooklyn DSA

Hello, new followers. Please enjoy my recent writing on European peasants, etc.:

jacobin.com/2024/10/euro...

If you don't want to wait until February, there's the Blickle book from decades ago in English (and other edited collections: Scribner/Benecke, Bak, Scott...)

Hello everyone