The opinions expressed in this column are purely personal and do not represent the views or beliefs of BP Amoco Corporation in any way. This struggle will be most obvious in the world s most advanced economies with the lowest fertility rates and consequently the greatest need for immigration. The line between immigration and geopolitics will slowly fade. Once viewed as a purely a domestic problem, employment-based immigration will move center stage over time and become a core component of national foreign policy. As nations become richer, women do not have as many children.
Older citizens are more organized than ever before and they vote.
The political will to alter the social contract in such a fundamental way does not exist. Immigration is the only answer. Even those who do not want it are increasingly being forced to accept a reality which can not be denied. But, like a mirror the first thing in the morning, the consequences of low fertility rates force us to face the truth. There is a huge amount of money at stake.