How 21st Century Population Issues and Policies Differ from Those of the 20th Century
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This is a cogent paper by two experienced scholars. What they have to say needs to be said (and has ben said elsewhere). The paper is well written, and the references are extremely helpful. It should certainly be published.
I have entered many comments (in red) into the manuscript. Many if these reflect my different take on the issues discussed. The authors may or may not want to consider some of these.
In general, the overall tone of the paper is that we want it all, everything good should be put in the “holistic” pot and that should be our policy. That looks like pie in the sky to me at a time when the world has gone back to war in so many countries (especially Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s possible invasion of Taiwan). At a time where the environment is clearly out of control, where immigration of desperate and desperately poor people (largely from overpopulated countries) are willing to die to get somewhere else and are causing the rise of anti-immigrant right wing regimes all over (including the US). Etc., etc.etc.
I would have preferred an article with more alarm and more realization that we’re not going to get it all and we have to set some priorities if we are to get anything at all.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Thank you for your comments and, especially, for the annotated copy of the manuscript. This was very useful. We have integrated most of your comments and suggestions.
We have also added a Table, with key demographic indicators for the regions of the world, in 1950 and 2020.
We have tried to address your comments for improvement, by reworking in particular Sections 5 and the Conclusions. We have also added a reference and a footnote on the U.S. Social Security and Medicare.
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear authors, thank you for this interesting texts, just two shorts comments:
Although this is an essay, a brief summary table of the key demographic trends in the text might be helpful.
The "way forward" proposed in Chapter 5 does contain useful general suggestions, but the problem is how to implement them - otherwise there is a risk that the so-called "New Political Agenda" will quickly become a collection of empty phrases. Given the required brevity of the text, this probably cannot be avoided.
Author Response
Thank you for your comments.
We have added a Table with key demographic indicators in the regions of the world, in 1950 and 2020.
We have improved Section 5 and the Conclusions to address your comments.
Reviewer 3 Report
This study effectively presents the century-long changes in the human population in a well-organized manner. I wholeheartedly agree with the points raised by the authors regarding important population issues.
While the authors classify this research as an essay, I believe it would greatly benefit from the inclusion of more visual charts and tables to complement the explanations and arguments.
However, to provide a more targeted approach, I recommend incorporating a specific perspective that goes beyond describing trends. Readers would appreciate a focused exploration of the potential impacts on social security and medicare programs, and how these developments may affect the future population and social problems. To strengthen this perspective, it would be valuable to cite relevant literature or provide empirical evidence to support the argument.
Author Response
Thank you for your comments.
We have added a Table with key demographic indicators in the major regions of the world, in 1950 and 2020.
We have improved Section 5 and the Conclusions to address your comments.
We have added information and a reference on Social Security and Medicare in the U.S.
