This book of readings focuses on two questions: how do demographic variables influence social systems; and how do social variables influence demographic systems? It is the intersection between these two systems that defines the field of social demography and the point of view of this book. Part 1 presents a new approach to relating social and demographic phenomena using a systems approach. Part 2 offers a series of theoretical articles concerned with the relationship between various social factors and demographic structure and process. Part 3 deals with the reciprocal relations between demographic factors and major institutional systems, such as the family, religion, government, health, education, welfare, and the economy. Part 4 relates demographic changes to changes in social aggregate systems, including racial and ethnic groups, and value and belief systems. Part 5 examines the demographic transition in relation to the social and economic development of societies. The book is not intended as a beginning text in population, and assumes some knowledge of both demography and sociology. Believing that significant demography is necessarily interdisciplinary, the authors have sought to clarify at least one area of interdisciplinary relationship. (Author/JLB)