Ecotopia's Population Control Program

Ecotopia's Declining Population

• Ecotopia's population has been declining for nearly 15 years, a trend which sets it apart from most nations.
• This decline is attributed to humane measures, not forced abortion or infanticide.
• Prior to independence, population growth in the area had already slowed, influenced by factors like inflation-recession, relaxed abortion laws, and the recognition of children as a burden in an advanced society.
• The "Green Revolution" famines further highlighted the dangers of overpopulation.

Ecotopia's Population Control Program

• Ecotopia formally adopted a national goal of a declining population after long debate.
• The three-stage program aimed to reduce population pressure on resources and improve living standards.
• Stage 1: A comprehensive education and medical campaign provided women with access to birth control methods.
• Abortion on demand was legalized, and its cost was made low.
• The program successfully reduced births to a level slightly below deaths, almost counterbalancing the growth in longevity.

Decentralization and Population Distribution

• Stage 2: Decentralized economic life, moving away from a centralized tax and spending system.
• Local communities regained control over basic life systems, facilitating deliberate choices about population levels and distribution.
• This led to the dispersion of population from major cities like San Francisco, Oakland, and Seattle.
• New minicities emerged in favorable locations, such as Napa and Carquinez-Martinez.
• Urban areas were rezoned, with abandoned areas converted to parks or forests.
• Smaller towns like Placerville grew through the addition of satellite minicities.

Decentralization Across Sectors

• Decentralization impacted various sectors:
  • Medical services were dispersed, leading to smaller hospitals and clinics and a community-based medical aide system.
  • Schools were reorganized on a teacher-controlled model.
  • Agricultural, fishing, and forestry were decentralized.
  • Large factory farms were broken up through stricter irrigation regulations, and communes/extended family farms were encouraged.