@son of sam harris @Zardoz Population growth is a long tail of governance. Both Russia and China are also affected by post-enlightenment thinking, namely communism.
Rather than comparing two contemporary countries, one should look at any and all (formerly) white nations over time and see the after effects of government. After liberal democracy was embraced in the West, our populations began falling. NatSoc Germany reversed that trend for ten years.
Most people, including myself, are idiots. Without good leadership to construct healthy societies that encourage family, people make big mistakes. Our official and extended government seems to be doing everything to discourage family building.