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Toward a Framework for Understanding Forces that Contribute to or Reinforce Racial Inequality

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  • Wilson, William Julius

Abstract

For many years social scientists have debated the role of social structure versus culture in explaining the social and economic outcomes of African Americans. The position that one takes often reflects ideological bias. Conservatives tend to emphasize cultural factors whereas liberals pay more attention to structural conditions, with most of the attention devoted to racialist structural factors such as discrimination and segregation. In this article I develop a framework for understanding the formation and maintenance of racial inequality and racial group outcomes that integrates cultural factors with two types of structural forces—those that directly reflect explicit racial bias and those that do not. In so doing, I hope to spark greater interest and dialogue in the research and policy arenas around a more holistic approach to poverty alleviation.

Suggested Citation

  • Wilson, William Julius, 2009. "Toward a Framework for Understanding Forces that Contribute to or Reinforce Racial Inequality," Scholarly Articles 4778369, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
    • Handle: RePEc:hrv:hksfac:4778369
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    1. Alan B. Krueger, 1993. "How Computers Have Changed the Wage Structure: Evidence from Microdata, 1984–1989," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 108(1), pages 33-60.
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