The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Aragorn's Reunited Empire: Just a paper dream?

Lalwendë · 10-19-2005, 11:36 AM

Just thinking about the baby boom theory (which I broadly agree would have happened; those poor Gondorian women...

), there is a slight problem with it. Presumably Gondor and its allies will have lost a significant number of men during the War, particularly young men who had not yet started families. This would mean that even if there was a baby boom in terms of a rising birth rate, then as regards increasing the population they might be 'running just to catch up' for some years. It might take until the second generation for any significant population boom to happen (maybe a gap of some 20-40 years).

There are other changed circumstances associated with the loss of so many men. Firstly, the women might find themselves doing more work outside the home (presuming they did not do this already); certainly they would find they would be working more, which is what happened during and after WWI. This itself would have an impact if an increase in childbearing was sought after.

Work would still need doing, and the most immediate task would not be to rebuild walls and cities but to rebuild and restock farms, though both would need doing. There would be heavy demands on the people's hours. This itself would result in a change in society as in-demand workers could demand higher payment/different conditions, as they would be a limited resource. This has been borne out in history; after the Black Death decimated Europe the feudal system began to collapse, and one of the after effects of the Napoleonic wars was a rise in labour activism.

People would seek, and possibly even expect, things like better wages and more opportunites, as they would see Aragorn's return as a promise of better times. I wonder how far Aragorn would go to seek to meet the demands of the people?

10-19-2005, 11:36 AM	#24
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Just thinking about the baby boom theory (which I broadly agree would have happened; those poor Gondorian women... ), there is a slight problem with it. Presumably Gondor and its allies will have lost a significant number of men during the War, particularly young men who had not yet started families. This would mean that even if there was a baby boom in terms of a rising birth rate, then as regards increasing the population they might be 'running just to catch up' for some years. It might take until the second generation for any significant population boom to happen (maybe a gap of some 20-40 years). There are other changed circumstances associated with the loss of so many men. Firstly, the women might find themselves doing more work outside the home (presuming they did not do this already); certainly they would find they would be working more, which is what happened during and after WWI. This itself would have an impact if an increase in childbearing was sought after. Work would still need doing, and the most immediate task would not be to rebuild walls and cities but to rebuild and restock farms, though both would need doing. There would be heavy demands on the people's hours. This itself would result in a change in society as in-demand workers could demand higher payment/different conditions, as they would be a limited resource. This has been borne out in history; after the Black Death decimated Europe the feudal system began to collapse, and one of the after effects of the Napoleonic wars was a rise in labour activism. People would seek, and possibly even expect, things like better wages and more opportunites, as they would see Aragorn's return as a promise of better times. I wonder how far Aragorn would go to seek to meet the demands of the people? __________________ Gordon's alive!