A governor with national ambitions, a party tug‑of‑war, and a state wrestling with affordability—this conversation goes straight at the question on everyone’s mind: can Gavin Newsom sell hope to a country tired of anger without getting buried by California’s record? We bring together seasoned strategists to weigh why prediction markets love his chances, how a relentless work ethic and podcast‑first media game reshape reach, and whether a transactional political style beats an old‑school “vision thing” when attention is fragmented and narratives move at internet speed.

We dig into real fault lines. Supporters say Newsom can frame an abundance agenda for a broad coalition and avoid the foreign‑policy buzz saw that rarely swings U.S. elections. Skeptics hit back with hard California indices: stubborn poverty, high costs, safety concerns, and a housing market that locks out families. The housing debate gets sharp—CEQA trims and transit‑oriented zoning vs a “war on the suburbs”—with both sides agreeing production must grow but splitting over where, how, and who pays. If Newsom heads east, who fills the vacuum? We map the chessboard with Alex Padilla, Rick Caruso, Tom Steyer, and Rob Bonta as pivotal pieces.

We also interrogate the GOP’s puzzle in a deep‑blue state—out‑migration, donor drain, and flickers of Latino realignment—while testing potential 2028 matchups beyond Trump. Does a figure like J.D. Vance have a national gear, or does the race hinge on who best harnesses long‑form media and emotional tone? By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of the stakes: the message Newsom needs to win nationally, the policies California needs to keep its middle class, and why the next governor’s housing choices may define the decade.

Like what you hear? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. Your feedback shapes our next deep dive.

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

What explains the outsized success of Iranian Americans—and can that same resolve help tilt the future of Iran? We bring together two sharp voices to unpack a story that spans kitchen-table sacrifice, elite migration, and a culture where A’s are expected and grit is non-negotiable. From early professional cohorts in medicine and engineering to founders in Silicon Valley, we trace the “immigrant trifecta” of aspiration, constraint, and discipline that turned upheaval into momentum.

The conversation takes a turn as we examine a new surge of identity among Gen Z. Campus Persian classes fill up, clubs form overnight, and students study Iranian rap as political speech—all sparked by the Woman Life Freedom movement. That awakening reframes the assimilation question: instead of fading ties over generations, political courage in Tehran is restoring pride in Boston, Irvine, and beyond.

We then wrestle with the hardest part: how change might actually happen. One guest makes the case for a single unifying figure—often pointing to Reza Pahlavi—to synchronize a divided diaspora and guide a path toward the ballot box. The other argues for system-first thinking, a coalition over charisma, and legitimacy grown from within Iran. Both agree on two truths: the regime is weaker than it looks, and enduring transformation must be led by Iranians inside the country. History offers context and hope—more than a century of Iranian constitutionalism and secular aspirations provides a deep native tradition to build upon.

You’ll leave with a clear map of the forces at play: the economics of a strained state, the psychology of exile politics, the power of youth networks, and the quieter heroism of families who traded comfort for possibility. If this conversation challenged you or sparked a new angle, share it with a friend, subscribe for future episodes, and tell us: does Iran’s path forward need one voice—or many?

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

Tired of big talk that falls apart when the trash doesn’t get picked up? We bring together two insiders who’ve lived the fight from the council chamber to the mayor’s office to map how cities actually move: coalitions, budgets, police staffing, and the messy business of making streets feel safe. Houston’s recent pivot toward a centrist, basics-first agenda shows how bipartisan votes still form when leaders fix pensions, rebuild infrastructure, and keep patrol cars rolling. San Francisco’s saga is different: recalls, ranked-choice twists, and a culture war over tech tools like ALPR, drones, and even AI—right in the capital of technology.

We dig into why “progressive vs. moderate” has stopped explaining outcomes when residents judge government by Tuesday service delivery. You’ll hear how national polarization—especially around Trump and ICE—distorts local debates about data sharing and community protection, while neighborhoods most affected by crime and cost spikes struggle for practical relief. Our guests argue for a measurable playbook: fully staff police with accountability, modernize routing for garbage and repairs, streamline permitting for small businesses, and price services transparently. Along the way, we unpack insurance shocks, electricity bills, and the overlooked voters who decide general elections without ever touching a primary ballot.

The next five years will be shaped by younger leaders and a quieter embrace of technology. From Waymo’s rising approval in San Francisco to Houston’s likely re-election momentum for coalition builders, the future looks less like slogans and more like uptime, response times, and clear trade-offs between fees and services. If you care about how cities actually work—and how they can work better—this conversation gives you a grounded, BS-free roadmap.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves city politics, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find conversations that put results over rhetoric.

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

The landscape of American defense manufacturing has transformed dramatically since World War II—and not for the better. What happens when a nation with the world's most advanced military technology can't produce enough conventional artillery shells to supply Ukraine while maintaining its own reserves?

This episode brings together three exceptional voices to examine America's critical vulnerability: our diminished industrial capacity. Arthur Herman, author of "Freedom's Forge," provides historical context on how America became the "arsenal of democracy" during WWII, when two-thirds of all Allied war materials came from American factories. Rand Simberg offers insights on how this manufacturing crisis affects the space industry, where China is rapidly closing the gap with American capabilities. Cameron Schiller, CEO of Rangeview, shares frontline experience trying to rebuild American manufacturing through advanced robotics.

Their conversation reveals how decades of globalization created a nation with "a surplus of designers and a deficit in people who actually make real stuff." While America once had abundant workers with mechanical aptitude, today's workforce requires different approaches—highlighting SpaceX's role as an industrial "graduate school" teaching engineers how to build physical systems. The panel examines how vulnerable supply chains, dependent on foreign sources for critical components, create national security risks.

The solution? A return to the "founder mentality" that prioritizes innovation over efficiency, rebuilding domestic supply chains, leveraging new technologies like AI and robotics, and cultivating a workforce skilled in modern manufacturing techniques. This isn't just about economics—it's about America's ability to project power and protect itself in an increasingly competitive world.

Listen now to understand why, as Schiller puts it, "a nation that can't produce is a nation that can't project power."

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

Is there a middle ground between open borders and immigration restriction? This thought-provoking discussion with GOP strategist Mike Madrid and Venezuelan immigrant Dr. Daniel DiMartino explores the complex realities of America's immigration debate beyond the partisan talking points.

The experts delve into surprising data showing how education levels dramatically impact immigrant outcomes - college-educated immigrants are approximately 1,000 times less likely to commit crimes than those without high school diplomas. Canada's points-based system provides a compelling alternative model where immigration levels remain high but public support stays strong because immigrants integrate successfully.

What makes this conversation particularly timely is the shifting political landscape around immigration. Latino voters dramatically swung toward Republicans in 2024, partly due to border security concerns. Meanwhile, red states increasingly depend on immigrant labor to fill critical workforce gaps. This creates a unique opportunity for comprehensive reform that balances security, economic needs, and America's tradition as a nation of immigrants.

Perhaps most fascinating is the cultural dimension rarely discussed in immigration debates. At a time when confidence in American institutions is collapsing, immigrants often bring renewed faith in the American dream. "The average immigrant believes more in America and wants other countries to look more like America than the average native-born person," notes DiMartino. This aspirational energy represents a vital cultural resource our divided nation desperately needs.

While both experts remain pessimistic about the chances for comprehensive reform before the 2026 midterms, they outline how Republicans could potentially reshape immigration policy on their terms while addressing legitimate economic and security concerns. The discussion offers a rare glimpse of what pragmatic, evidence-based immigration reform might actually look like beyond the heated rhetoric dominating our public discourse.

Listen now to understand why immigration may be the key to addressing America's demographic challenges, economic needs, and even our crisis of confidence in the American experiment itself.

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

The technological revolution of artificial intelligence isn't just changing how businesses operate—it's transforming how they're governed. In this riveting conversation, we're joined by Dean Yoost, former senior partner at PWC, and Ashwin Rangan, CEO of DoubleCheck, to explore their groundbreaking book "Governance in the Age of AI: A Director's Handbook."

Our guests challenge popular misconceptions about artificial intelligence, arguing that what we call "AI" isn't truly intelligent but rather a sophisticated mathematical prediction engine. This distinction has profound implications for corporate leadership. As Rangan explains, these systems lack the ethical discernment and value judgment capabilities that humans bring to decision-making—a critical limitation that board directors must understand.

The business landscape is rapidly evolving under AI's influence. According to research cited, approximately half of middle management positions may disappear or be fundamentally redefined by 2028. This raises urgent questions: Who bears responsibility when AI-informed decisions go wrong? How will corporate hierarchies adapt? What skills will remain uniquely valuable for humans?

Both experts emphasize that tomorrow's leaders need a deeper technological understanding than previous generations required. "The technology and strategy discussions are now the same," Hust observes. "You can't be an effective board member without having more than passive knowledge of what's happening in the technology world." Yet they equally stress the enduring importance of wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation—classical virtues that machines cannot replicate.

For educators, parents, and aspiring business leaders, this conversation offers crucial guidance on preparing for an AI-transformed future. Rather than focusing solely on technical skills, our guests advocate for revitalizing broader discussions of ethics, critical thinking, and human values. As technology increasingly answers "can we do this?" questions, humans must focus on the "should we do this?" considerations that require judgment and ethical reasoning.

Join us for this thought-provoking exploration of how organizations can thoughtfully integrate AI while preserving and enhancing what makes us distinctly human. Subscribe now and share your thoughts on how AI is reshaping leadership in your industry!

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

The global balance of power is undergoing a dramatic transformation that extends far beyond the US-China rivalry dominating Western headlines. This eye-opening conversation with experts from three continents reveals how developing nations are reshaping international relations through demographic advantages, economic growth, and strategic non-alignment.

Our panel delivers surprising insights about Africa's explosive potential, where the median age is just 19 and five of the world's ten fastest-growing economies are located. You'll discover how China has established control of 70 ports across 32 African countries while Western powers have grown "shy" about asserting their values and interests. The emerging importance of Namibia—with press freedom rivaling Western democracies and potentially the largest offshore oil discovery in history—challenges conventional thinking about Africa's future.

India's remarkable trajectory takes center stage as Professor Pradip Shukla explains how the world's most populous nation, with 40% of its population under 25, is projected to become the second-largest global economy by 2050. India's strategic balancing act between the US, Russia, and China offers a blueprint for success in this new multipolar reality.

From Latin America, we learn how China has displaced the United States as the primary commercial partner across the region, making billion-dollar infrastructure investments while American influence wanes. The stark contrast between China's port development in Peru versus America's response limited to social media statements illustrates the shifting landscape of regional influence.

The conversation culminates with a provocative discussion about how Western nations might regain lost ground, including the strategic use of tariffs as leverage. Our experts suggest that countries avoiding rigid ideological positions may ultimately prove most successful in navigating this complex new world order.

Listen now to understand the profound forces reshaping global power dynamics and why developing nations will increasingly determine our collective future.

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

The widening gender gap is reshaping American society in profound and troubling ways. Join hosts Marshall Toplansky and Joel Kotkin as they dive deep into this growing divide with Christine Emba, author of "Rethinking Sex: A Provocation," and Aaron Renn, writer of "Life in the Negative World."

Drawing from fresh research including focus groups conducted in Raleigh, North Carolina, our guests reveal a dating landscape filled with mutual misunderstanding and pessimism. Women are becoming more progressive and educationally advanced, while men appear to be falling behind economically and educationally, creating a perfect storm of resentment and confusion about gender roles.

This isn't just an American phenomenon—countries like South Korea are experiencing similar challenges, with political polarization intensifying the divide between genders. Young men trend more conservative while young women move further left, making dating across ideological lines increasingly rare. Is this creating a return to a quasi-feudal structure where only high-status men find partners while many others remain single?

The conversation explores how non-binary identities, the prevalence of single-parent households, and the rise of technologies like pornography and AI are further complicating human connection. These artificial substitutes for relationships serve as "anesthetics" that prevent people from experiencing the discomfort needed to make positive changes in their lives.

Despite these challenges, our guests offer pathways forward. They emphasize treating finding a partner with the same intentionality as career development, the importance of media portraying healthy relationships, and the critical role older adults can play as mentors for younger generations navigating these complex waters without guidance.

Listen now to understand the forces driving men and women apart and what we might do to rebuild the bridges between them. Share your thoughts with us and join this essential conversation about the future of relationships in modern America.

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

America's Jewish geography is undergoing a dramatic transformation, shifting from its historical concentration in the Northeast to flourishing communities across the South and West. This fascinating evolution reflects broader demographic patterns while revealing unique insights about Jewish identity, community formation, and cultural adaptation.

Demographic expert Ira Sheskin takes us through the numbers, showing how the Jewish population in the Northeast has declined from two-thirds after WWII to approximately 40% today, while Southern states — particularly Florida — have experienced remarkable growth. He notes the concentration in metropolitan areas while rural Southern states maintain minimal Jewish presence. This isn't merely statistical shuffling but represents profound changes in how Jewish Americans live, work, and practice their faith.

Through personal narratives, we hear from those who've made this journey. Mark Goldman shares his experience relocating from New York to Atlanta in 1990, drawn by professional opportunities but facing occasional discomfort in a region with complicated historical attitudes toward Jews. Meanwhile, Israeli entrepreneur Tal Shmueli provides a fresh perspective on Austin's rapidly growing Jewish community, describing how in just four years he's witnessed an explosion of Jewish businesses, cultural offerings, and community infrastructure.

The conversation takes a revealing turn when discussing religious practice and identity. Miami stands out as an exception to national trends, with younger Jews actually more likely to maintain strong connections to Israel and religious tradition than their elders. Chabad emerges as a particularly successful model for engaging Jews across regions, adapting its approach to be welcoming and community-focused while maintaining traditional values. This raises fascinating questions about how Jewish identity will continue to evolve in these new geographical contexts.

Want to understand how American Jewish communities are reinventing themselves in unexpected places? Listen now to hear insights from those experiencing this transformation firsthand and discover what it might mean for the future of Jewish American identity.

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

Follow us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/

Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism

Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87

Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe

This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.