University of Rhode Island
Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design
TMD 402M Seminar: Fashion for All Ages
Dr. Art Mead: The Transformation Of Domestic And International Demographics
Kaohlee Xiong
The world is not what it was 20 years ago. People, places, and economies have changed drastically all over the world. Dr. Arthur Mead, a URI Economic professor, made it very clear that within the 21st century, we will be facing a major demographic shift or “human tectonics” that would change domestic and international economies. In Mead’s provocative lecture, he challenges us to look at two crucial dates that led to these changing national and international demographics and how we were going to proactively adhere to these changes.
One of the crucial dates that changed international demographics was the fall of the Berlin War on November 9, 1989. A wall built to intentionally divide Germany into West and East Germany, The Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Cold War and communism. According to Mead, the Cold War was a war of “communism” versus “capitalism”. After the war, many countries aspired to contend in the global labor market. Countries wanted a share of the world GDP and believed in American capitalistic sensibilities. As countries developed new economic structures and became successful, demographics and taste changed, too.
The second date was August 14, 1945, Victory over Japan Day or the day that World War II ended, was crucial demographic change for United States of America. When American soldiers returned back home to their wives or got married, the birth rate in America skyrocketed. Economists call this period the “Baby Boom” or individuals born during this time called “Baby Boomers”. According to Mead, Baby Boomers currently and futuristically will control the American economy and our domestic demographics. Historically, the Baby Boomers are a powerful force. Economically, the society and institutions began to develop due to the demands of the Baby Boomers. For example, in the 1970s, many of the Baby Boomers were graduating from high school. During this period of time, college and university campuses increased.
This is no doubt that the American Baby Boomers and the Asian countries are two of the major forces that are going to dictate the fashion industry. One issue that Dr. Mead brought up was a possible American Civil War. This was not a war of communism versus capitalism but a war of older people versus young people. In order to change with the drastic age change in the United States, a balance must be implicated to level the situation. According to Dr. Mead, one solution that economists and the US government believe is going to be that “balance” is immigration. They believe that immigration will help balance and keep the American demographics consistent. There are many solutions and ideas about the future of America but we do not know ultimately what is going to happen. The only thing that we can do is adapt with change and understand that the world’s demographics will effect every decision we make in the future.