John Ibbitson

**A SUNDAY TIMES MUST-READ**Riveting and vitally important - Steven PinkerA gripping narrative of a world on the cusp of profound change - Anjana Ahuja, New StatesmanEmpty Planet offers a radical, provocative argument that the global population will soon begin to decline, dramatically reshaping the social, political and economic landscape.For half a century, statisticians, pundits and politicians have warned that a burgeoning planetary population will soon overwhelm the earths resources. But a growing number of experts are sounding a different kind of alarm. Rather than growing exponentially, they argue, the global population is headed for a steep decline. Throughout history, depopulation was the product of catastrophe: ice ages, plagues, the collapse of civilizations. This time, however, were thinning ourselves deliberately, by choosing to have fewer babies than we need to replace ourselves. In much of the developed and developing world, that decline is already underway, as urbanisation, womens empowerment, and waning religiosity lead to smaller and smaller families. In Empty Planet, Ibbitson and Bricker travel from South Florida to Sao Paulo, Seoul to Nairobi, Brussels to Delhi to Beijing, drawing on a wealth of research and firsthand reporting to illustrate the dramatic consequences of this population decline - and to show us why the rest of the developing world will soon join in. They find that a smaller global population will bring with it a number of benefits: fewer workers will command higher wages; good jobs will prompt innovation; the environment will improve; the risk of famine will wane; and falling birthrates in the developing world will bring greater affluence and autonomy for women. But enormous disruption lies ahead, too. We can already see the effects in Europe and parts of Asia, as aging populations and worker shortages weaken the economy and impose crippling demands on healthcare and vital social services. There may be earth-shaking implications on a geopolitical scale as well. Empty Planet is a hugely important book for our times. Captivating and persuasive, it is a story about urbanisation, access to education and the empowerment of women to choose their own destinies. It is about the secularisation of societies and the vital role that immigration has to play in our futures.Rigorously researched and deeply compelling, Empty Planet offers a vision of a future that we can no longer prevent - but that we can shape, if we choose to.

For almost its entire history, Canada has been run by the political, media and business elites of Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. But in the past few years, these groups have lost their powerand most of them still do not realize its gone. The Laurentian Consensus, the term John Ibbitson has coined for the dusty liberal elite, has been replaced by a new, powerful coalition based in the West and supported by immigrant voters in Ontario. How did this happen?Most people are unaware that the keystone economic and political drivers of this country are now Western Canada and immigrants from China, India and other Asian countries. Politicians and businesspeople have underestimated how conservative these newcomers are making our country. Canada, with its ever-evolving economy and fluid demographic base, has become divorced from the traditions of its past and is moving in an entirely new direction.In The Big Shift, Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson argue that one of the worlds most consensual countries is becoming polarized, exhibiting stark differences between East and West, cities and suburbs, Canadianborn citizens and immigrants. The winnersin both politics and business will be those who can capitalize on the tremendous changes that the Big Shift will bring.

From the authors of the bestselling The Big Shift, a provocative argument that the global population will soon begin to decline, dramatically reshaping the social, political, and economic landscape.For half a century, statisticians, pundits, and politicians have warned that a burgeoning population will soon overwhelm the earths resources. But a growing number of experts are sounding a different alarm. Rather than continuing to increase exponentially, they argue, the global population is headed for a steep declineand in many countries, that decline has already begun.In Empty Planet, international social researcher Darrell Bricker and award-winning journalist John Ibbitson find that a smaller global population will bring with it many benefits: Fewer workers will command higher wages, the environment will improve, the risk of famine will wane, and falling birthrates in the developing world will bring greater affluence and autonomy for women. But enormous disruption lies ahead, too. The United States and Canada are well positioned to successfully navigate these coming demographic shiftsunless growing isolationism leads us to close ourselves off just as openness becomes more critical to our survival than ever.Rigorously researched and deeply compelling, Empty Planet offers a vision of the future that we can no longer preventbut one that we can shape, if we choose.

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLEROne of Canadas foremost authors and journalists, offers a gripping account of the contest between John Diefenbaker and Lester Pearson, two prime ministers who fought each other relentlessly, but who between them created todays Canada. John Diefenbaker has been unfairly treated by history. Although he wrestled with personal demons, his governments launched major reforms in public health care, law reform and immigration. On his watch, First Nations on reserve obtained the right to vote and the federal government began to open up the North. He established Canada as a leader in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and took the first steps in making Canada a leader in the fight against nuclear proliferation. And Diefenbakers Bill of Rights laid the groundwork for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He set in motion many of the achievements credited to his successor, Lester B. Pearson.Pearson, in turn, gave coherence to Diefenbakers piecemeal reforms. He also pushed Parliament to adopt a new, and now much-loved, Canadian flag against Diefenbakers fierce opposition. Pearson understood that if Canada were to be taken seriously as a nation, it must develop a stronger sense of self. Pearson was superbly prepared for the role of prime minister: decades of experience at External Affairs, respected by leaders from Washington to Delhi to Beijing, the only Canadian to win the Nobel Prize for Peace. Diefenbaker was the better politician, though. If Pearson walked with ease in the halls of power, Diefenbaker connected with the farmers and small-town merchants and others left outside the inner circles. Diefenbaker was one of the great orators of Canadian political life; Pearson spoke with a slight lisp. Diefenbaker was the first to get his name in the papers, as a crusading attorney: Diefenbaker for the Defence, champion of the little man. But he struggled as a politician, losing five elections before making it into the House of Commons, and becoming as estranged from the party elites as he was from the Liberals, until his ascension to the Progressive Conservative leadership in 1956 through a freakish political accident. As a young university professor, Pearson caught the attention of the powerful men who were shaping Canadas first true department of foreign affairs, rising to prominence as the helpful fixer, the man both sides trusted, the embodiment of a new country that had earned its place through war in the counsels of the great powers: ambassador, undersecretary, minister, peacemaker. Everyone knew he was destined to be prime minister. But in 1957, destiny took a detour.Then they faced each other, Diefenbaker v Pearson, across the House of Commons, leaders of their parties, each determined to wrest and hold power, in a decade-long contest that would shake and shape the country. Here is a tale of two men, children of Victoria, who led Canada into the atomic age: each the product of his past, each more like the other than either would ever admit, fighting each other relentlessly while together forging the Canada we live in today. To understand our times, we must first understand theirs.

From one of this countrys best and most controversial political writers, a searing blueprint for the Next Canada.Five years into the twenty-first century, Canada is viewed as one of the most desirable nations in the world in which to live. Despite the worries of many Canadians our countrys regional and linguistic divisions, our frequent identity crises Canada, it seems, has a lot of good things going for it.The federal election of 2004, however, revealed new cracks in an already flawed political system. John Ibbitson argues that we have entered a new political era, that Canada has become a nation of solitudes the West, the English Centre, the French Centre, the East each of which has its own cultural and economic concerns, none of which are being sufficiently recognized by the major political parties. If we cling stubbornly to old methods of governance, he says, we risk losing all that the Confederation has achieved in its first 138 years.In this compelling, and ultimately hopeful book, John Ibbitson dismantles the old ways of thinking about Canadas immigration, free trade, social, and defence policies. His ideas for the future of this country are daring a devolution of power and dollars from the federal to the provincial level, a revamping of medicare, a refashioning of the electoral system. They amount to no less than a revolutionary plan for the creation and defence of a new national dream.

From Canadas newspaper of record for 180 years, here are thirty-one brilliant and provocative essays by a diverse selection of their writers on how The Globe and Mail covered and influenced major events and issues from the papers founding to the latest file. Since 1844, the Globe and Mail and its predecessor, George Browns Globe, have chronicled Canada: as a colony, a dominion, and a nation. To mark the papers 180th anniversary, Globe writers explored thirty issues and events in which the national newspaper has influenced the course of the country: Confederation, settler migrations, regional tensions, tussles over language, religion, and race. The essays reveal a tapestry of progress, conflict, and still-incomplete reconciliation: Catholic-Protestant hostilities that are now mostly the stuff of memory; the betrayal of Indigenous peoples with which we still grapple; the frustrations and triumphs of women journalists; pandemics old and new; environmental challenges; the joys of covering sports and the arts; chronicling the nations business, international coverage, the impossibility of Canada and of this newspaper, which both somehow flourish nonetheless. Riveting, insightful, disturbing, witty, and always a joy to read, A Nations Paper chronicles a country and a newspaper that have grown and struggled together essential reading for anyone who wants to understand where we came from and where we are going.The Globe and Mail will donate all its proceeds from the book to Journalists for Human Rights.

From the authors of The Big Shift and Empty Planet, a timely and provocative exploration of the seismic forces reshaping Canadas political, cultural, and economic landscape.Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitsons explosive new polemic, arrives in the midst of the greatest political crisis Canada has ever faced. The country stands at risk. Even before Donald Trump returned to the U.S. presidency, brandishing tariffs and threats of annexation, Canada had started to crack. Year after year of decisions deferred, problems ignored, and cans kicked carelessly down the road have created dangerous fissures. Stifling regulations drag down the economy. Younger people feel angry and alienated by dizzying housing prices and gig jobs. Regional tensions threaten unity in both Quebec and the Prairies. The immigration system is broken. And Canada stands alone, having failed to pay the cost of defending itself. Canadians elected a former bank governor to fix all this. But can the Liberals get us out of the mess they helped get us into? What future awaits the progressive and conservative coalitions? Will the Laurentian elites continue to misgovern, or are there alternatives? The country is at a breaking point. Canadians must act to save it before they lose it. Provocative, urgent, and unapologetically candid, Breaking Point will ignite debate, dominate political discourse, and become the definitive guide to understanding what is shaping up to be one of the most turbulent eras in Canadian history.

The authoritative biography of Stephen Harper, to be published on the eve of the next election.As one of the important prime ministers in the life of our nation, Stephen Harper has reshaped Canada into a more conservative country, a transformation that his opponents tacitly admit will never be reversed. He has made government smaller, justice tougher, and provinces more independent, whether they want to be or not. Under its 22nd prime minister, Canada shows the world a plainer, harder face. Those who praise Harper point to the Conservatives skillful economic management, the impressive new trade agreements, the tax cuts and the balanced budget, the reformed immigration system, the uncompromising defence of Israel and Ukraine, and the fight against terrorism. Criticspointing to punitive punishments, muzzled scientists, assaults on the judiciary, and contempt for parliamentaccuse the Harper government of being autocratic, secretive and cruel.But what about the man? In this definitive new biography, the Globe and Mails John Ibbitson explores the life of the most important Canadian of our timeshis suburban youth, the crisis that caused Stephen Harper to quit university for three years, the forces that shaped his tempestuous relationship with Reform Leader Preston Manning, how Laureen Harper influences her husband, his devotion to his childrenand his cats. Ibbitson explains how this shy, closed, introverted loner united a fractured conservative movement, defeated a Liberal hegemony, and set out to reshape the nation. With unparalleled access to sources, years of research and writing, and a depth of insight that has made him one of the most respected voices in journalism, John Ibbitson presents an intimate, detailed portrait of a man who has remained an enigma to supporters and enemies alike. Now that enigma is revealed, in a masterful exploration of Stephen Harper, the politician and the man.

Bienvenidos a la caída de la población mundial.Durante medio siglo, muchos estadistas, políticos, analistas y estudiosos han alertado sobre una explosión demográfica que pondrá en jaque los recursos del planeta. Sin embargo, un creciente numero de expertos tiene en el punto de mira otro motivo de alarma: en lugar de aumentar exponencialmente, la poblacion mundial se encamina hacia un fuerte descenso que ya es evidente en muchos lugares.En El planeta vacio, los autores revelan como esta caida de la poblacion traera consigo distintos beneficios: el riesgo de hambrunas disminuira, la situacion medioambiental mejorara, menos trabajadores exigiran mejores salarios y unas tasas de natalidad mas bajas representaran mayores ingresos y autonomia para las mujeres.Pero no todo son buenas noticias. Ya podemos ver los efectos del envejecimiento de la poblacion en Europa y algunos puntos de Asia, y como la escasez de trabajadores debilita la economia e impone unas exigencias desmesuradas en el campo de la salud publica.Reseñas... Si bien el genero "todo lo que sabes es falso" se ha vuelto agotador, este libro contiene informacion fascinante y de vital importancia. Los datos reveladores de Bricker e Ibbitson demuestran, con una prosa energica e incisiva, que en el mundo se esta operando un cambio radical sin que nadie se de cuenta. Steven PinkerAun cuando la poblacion mundial este aumentando, la tasa de natalidad ya ha empezado a caer en todo el mundo. En otros tiempos, los descensos de poblacion se debieron a desastres naturales como la erupcion del Toba, la peste negra o la gripe, pero la caida que viene ahora sera cosa exclusivamente nuestra. En este sugerente libro, Bricker e Ibbitson debaten acerca de por que, hacia finales del siglo XXI, no habra una superpoblacion global sino una rapida disminucion demografica, al tiempo que proponen medios para adaptarnos a ella. Lewis Dartnell, profesor de comunicacion cientifica en la Universidad de Westminster y autor de Abrir en caso de apocalipsisPara comprender el futuro debemos cuestionar nuestras suposiciones, y la mayor de todas es que la poblacion sigue creciendo, algo que muchos creemos. Bricker e Ibbitson nos ofrecen un desafio revelador, que deberia ser tomado muy en serio por todo aquel que se preocupe por el futuro a largo plazo (que, espero, seamos todos). Dan Gardner, autor de Risk y coautor de Superforecasting: The Art and Science of PredictionUn libro muy ameno, una vision controvertida sobre una realidad sobre la que se reflexiona poco: un mundo despoblado y una urbanizacion creciente. George Magnus, autor de The Age of Aging y Red Flags: Why Xis China Is in Jeopardy

Bienvenidos a la caída de la población mundial. Durante medio siglo, muchos estadistas, políticos, analistas y estudiosos han alertado sobre una explosión demográfica que pondrá en jaque los recursos del planeta. Sin embargo, un creciente numero de expertos tiene en el punto de mira otro motivo de alarma: en lugar de aumentar exponencialmente, la poblacion mundial se encamina hacia un fuerte descenso que ya es evidente en muchos lugares. En El planeta vacio, los autores revelan como esta caida de la poblacion traera consigo distintos beneficios: el riesgo de hambrunas disminuira, la situacion medioambiental mejorara, menos trabajadores exigiran mejores salarios y unas tasas de natalidad mas bajas representaran mayores ingresos y autonomia para las mujeres. Pero no todo son buenas noticias. Ya podemos ver los efectos del envejecimiento de la poblacion en Europa y algunos puntos de Asia, y como la escasez de trabajadores debilita la economia e impone unas exigencias desmesuradas en el campo de la salud publica.Reseñas...Si bien el genero "todo lo que sabes es falso" se ha vuelto agotador, este libro contiene informacion fascinante y de vital importancia. Los datos reveladores de Bricker e Ibbitson demuestran, con una prosa energica e incisiva, que en el mundo se esta operando un cambio radical sin que nadie se de cuenta.Steven Pinker Aun cuando la poblacion mundial este aumentando, la tasa de natalidad ya ha empezado a caer en todo el mundo. En otros tiempos, los descensos de poblacion se debieron a desastres naturales como la erupcion del Toba, la peste negra o la gripe, pero la caida que viene ahora sera cosa exclusivamente nuestra. En este sugerente libro, Bricker e Ibbitson debaten acerca de por que, hacia finales del siglo XXI, no habra una superpoblacion global sino una rapida disminucion demografica, al tiempo que proponen medios para adaptarnos a ella.Lewis Dartnell, profesor de comunicacion cientifica en la Universidad de Westminster y autor de Abrir en caso de apocalipsisPara comprender el futuro debemos cuestionar nuestras suposiciones, y la mayor de todas es que la poblacion sigue creciendo, algo que muchos creemos. Bricker e Ibbitson nos ofrecen un desafio revelador, que deberia ser tomado muy enserio por todo aquel que se preocupe por el futuro a largo plazo (que, espero, seamos todos).Dan Gardner, autor de Risk y coautor de Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction Un libro muy ameno, una vision controvertida sobre una realidad sobrela que se reflexiona poco: un mundo despoblado y una urbanizacion creciente.George Magnus, autor de The Age of Aging y Red Flags: Why Xi's China Is in Jeopardy