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Racial Isolation and Marginalization of Economic Research on Race and Crime

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick L. Mason
  • Samuel L. Myers Jr.
  • Margaret Simms

Abstract

This essay examines the extent to which research on the economics of race and crime produced by Black economists or published in the flagship journal of the organization of Black economists, the Review of Black Political Economy (RBPE), is undervalued by mainstream economics. We use modern bibliometric methods to test for citation biases in the economics of crime literature. We also identify the contributions of three streams of research overlooked in the mainstream literature: identity, police use of force, and mass incarceration. We find evidence that Blacks publishing on race and crime in top economics journals are less likely to be cited than non-Blacks and that articles published in the RBPE are less likely to be cited than articles published in other journals. A review of some under-cited articles reveals that themes related to identity, police use of force, and mass incarceration hold valuable insights for policy makers and those seeking solutions to problems of persistent racial disparities in the criminal legal system.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick L. Mason & Samuel L. Myers Jr. & Margaret Simms, 2022. "Racial Isolation and Marginalization of Economic Research on Race and Crime," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 60(2), pages 494-526, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jeclit:v:60:y:2022:i:2:p:494-526
    DOI: 10.1257/jel.20211688
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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