zlacker

>>bookof+(OP)
The population numbers of other countries are only relevant when serving an imperial or colonial enterprise. In a way this article reads somewhat like a mob boss complaining that their accountant is skimming off the top.

If I were a rightful leader of all Nigeria I would make sure those numbers would never be accessible for westerners as it’s the fist thing you need to know when you decide to wage war of any kind against some people.

>>AreSho+wb
Do you really think the outcome of western militaries vs nigeria will be different if Nigeria has a million or a billion people?

>>Reptil+cd
How else are you going to estimate the number of soldiers to send, the overall cost, and the projected return from labor exploitation? How do you think wars are waged and what do you think motivates them?

>>AreSho+7e
Do you think that the British had an accurate census of the populations of all the places they were conquering on their attempt at world conquest in the 1600s-1800s?

>>anonym+Ne
Nope, and it didn't matter.

You need to know military, not population size (how quickly can a militia be raised, how long can it be sustained, how well they are armed, who can be persuaded to defect, etc.). This is related to population size, but not linearly.

Population counts get only interesting for military and tax potential during administration of a territory.

GP's point is valid, though, imho.