Demographic transition theory: a neglected aspect of the nomadism- sedentarism continuum.

Many nomadic societies in Third World countries are becoming sedentary. The associated changes in mode of production result in a social transformation that may carry significant demographic consequences. An adaptation of demographic transition theory to the nomadism-sedentarism continuum is proposed by treating demographic change as transition between demographic regimes assocated with specific modes of production and suggesting that fertility increases and later declines, and mortality decreases along the continuum. Rising fertility during sedentarization is assumed to be a consequence of both social modernization and economic growth, which complement conventional theoretical statements. Data from several countries, along with a case study from Israel, suggest that birth rates increase along the continuum but their decline at post-sedentarization, although possible, will depend on trends in the general rural sector.-from Author