Research Topics for America
As part of its mission, FHC is dedicated to promoting and supporting research into key demographic and economic issues. The following areas of concern need both governmental and private sector study and investigation:
1. Ecological Carrying Capacity
How many people can the United States really support? At what consumption levels? And how can this analysis inform population policy?
Under the direction of a reputable organization, such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, or the National Academy of Sciences, a science-based carrying capacity for the United States needs to be developed by a panel of experts in agriculture, demography, energy, fisheries, forestry, water management and other ecological disciplines.
2. Infrastructure
US infrastructure is in a deplorable state of disrepair, yet it will need to support another 100 million US residents by the year 2050.
In addition to correcting the current infrastructure problems, what are the future system requirements for water, energy, food, housing, transportation, etc., to meet the needs of the American people by mid-century?
3. Economic Prosperity
What are the acceptable means of measuring economic prosperity and how has population size historically affected them?
How will stabilizing and then right-sizing the population affect American prosperity?
Recognizing the re-vitalization of industry with more automation, intelligent robotics, and highly skilled labor, what is the best-sized labor force to assure future prosperity for all Americans?
4. Sustainability
What is the best population size for America to be economically prosperous, while being self-sufficient in natural resources?
5. Global Warming
What is the relationship between population size, emissions and climate change?
Is a policy of reducing energy demand through population management a more effective means of controlling CO2 emissions than energy conservation programs? What if both were implemented?
6. Immigration
What is the fiscal impact on US taxpayers (and individual states) of admitting an average of 1.3 million legal immigrants per year? Of allowing illegal immigration to continue at current levels?
An independent agency such as the General Accounting Office or the Congressional Budget Office should do an annual expenditures report to Congress and the Administration on all departmental costs associated with both legal and illegal immigration.
An independent and non-partisan entity should be commissioned to conduct an in-depth study on the impact of both legal and illegal immigration on the availability of American jobs.
To fill the gaps in current data, other studies should determine immigrants' employment rate, health insurance coverage, and tax revenue contributions after one year of residency (ideally, with a five-year follow up).
7. Family Planning
What are the societal consequences of unintended births? Do unintended children suffer near-term or life-time disadvantages?
What are the immediate and long-term fiscal impacts to both federal and state governments for unintended births to single mothers and teenage mothers? To health care providers?
While this is not intended to be a complete list of potential research topics, these are some of the major issues that confront the nation and need to be addressed. If you are interested in teaming up with us on investigating one of the above research topics, please contact us.